First Series 4000 Gas Engines Start Sea Trials

Rolls-Royce said the first Series 4000 mobile gas engines have started sea trials on the passenger ferry Willem Barentsz of Redereij Doeksen.

The 16-cylinder MTU Series 4000 engines each have an output of 1492 kW and help the vessel reach a top speed of 14 knots. Together with its sister ship Willem de Vlamingh, which will go into service in summer, the ferries will shuttle in the Wadden Sea between Harlingen in the Netherlands and the islands of Vlieland and Terschelling. The 70-m long ferries can carry up to 600 passengers.

“I am really impressed with the mobile MTU gas engines. So far, they have met all our expectations in terms of performance, smooth operation, very low noise and excellent transient behavior,” said Paul Melles, managing director of Rederij Doeksen.

Originally, the ferry was supposed to go into service as early as April, but the Covid-19 pandemic with all its restrictions delayed its commissioning. Despite the travel restrictions and quarantine conditions, Rolls-Royce, together with Doeksen and other partners involved, found a solution to make the Willem Barentsz operational.

“This successful first test drive is an important milestone for us. And it confirms our claim to be the driving force behind the energy turnaround in the maritime industry,” said Knut Müller, head of Naval and Governmental Business at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

The class acceptance of the ship will take place from June 4-6, after which the Willem Barentsz will be allowed to go into passenger service.