Norled and Fjellstrand Yard wins “Ship of the Year” award

Hamburg, September 11, 2014 (STAT):- Norled and Fjellstrand Yard has won the prestigious “Ship of the Year” industry award for the world’s first battery driven car-ZeroCat 120.

Rolls-Royce contributes to the innovative ZeroCat™ 120 ferry with optimized Azipull thrusters and hull design and hydrodynamics, based on advanced analysis.

An important factor in the development of the ferry was to provide a propulsion system with the lowest possible energy consumption during fjord crossings, and at the same time ensure safe and efficient low speed manoeuvring when operating near piers. The propulsion system is a key element in lowering energy requirements, enabling a reasonably sized battery pack to be installed onboard. To achieve high energy efficiency, the system from Rolls-Royce has a low propeller rotation rate, propeller blades with high aspect ratio and a low blade area, as well as a slender thruster body. The battery technology and electrical systems are provided by Siemens.

Leif Vartdal, Rolls-Royce, Section Head for Hydrodynamics - Marine Research & Technology, said: “An efficient propeller has a large diameter that rotates at a low speed to turn engine power into thrust in an effective way. In this case we have achieved this because the Azipull units have a high torque transmitting capacity for the given power of the propulsion motors. The hull design also allows for a larger propeller diameter than usually found in a double ended ferry. The result is better propulsion efficiency and less power drained from the batteries.”

Norled’s new ferry is expected to enter operation on a fjord crossing on the Norwegian West Coast in 2015, and will produce no local emissions. ZeroCat™ 120 has space for 120 cars and up to 360 passengers.