MIAMI, Florida. - GE Marine Engines' LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbine has been chosen for Holland America Line's four new cruise ships."We are proud to offer another commercial customer one of GE's most reliable and efficient gas turbines," said Bill Millhaem, general manager for GE Marine Engines. "The selection of our aeroderivative gas turbines by another major cruise line signals a significant shift in the cruise industry towards more environmentally-friendly propulsion technology." One LM2500 gas turbine-generator set, supplied by S&S Energy Products, will be applied per Holland America Line cruise ship. S&S Energy Products is a GE Power Systems business. The gas turbine will operate in parallel with one or more of the five diesel generators on board. This configuration will allow the vessels to operate in environmentally sensitive areas using clean gas turbine power. The ships also will use a podded drive propulsion system, allowing for greater maneuverability and enhanced operating efficiencies. Each LM2500 will operate approximately 2,500 hours per year fueled by Marine Gas Oil. The gas turbines will be arranged with a low-pressure waste heat boiler tapping into the ship's steam system. The LM2500
The LM2500 -- with nearly 1,000 engines currently in marine service throughout the world -- continues to be the preferred choice with both military and commercial marine customers. This compact, lightweight and powerful gas turbine is adaptable to a broad range of ships. This simple-cycle, two-shaft, high-performance marine engine offers superior, marine-corrosion resistant materials and construction; simple, modular design; minimum weight, size and space requirements per horsepower; and high thermal efficiency and low fuel and airflow per horsepower. The following four major components of the LM2500 gas turbine incorporate the latest design technology and corrosion-resistant materials for maximum reliability, parts life and time between major inspections and overhauls:1. 16-Stage compressor - 18:1 pressure ratio; first seven stages feature variable stators and inlet guide vanes, enabling easy start, good part-load performance, high efficiency, and high stall margin over the entire operating range. 2. Fully Annular Combustor - externally mounted fuel nozzles support liquid fuel combustion; assures virtually smokeless operation through the complete power range, even when burning heavy distillate fuels. 3. Two-Stage High Pressure Turbine - air cooled for long life; drives the compressor and accessory-drive gearbox. 4. Six-Stage, Low Pressure Power Turbine - low-speed, low-stress power turbine; aerodynamically coupled to the gas generator; driven by the gas generator's high-energy release exhaust flow. GE Marine Engines at its Evendale, Ohio manufacturing facility will build the LM2500 gas turbines for Holland America Line. S&S Energy Products, a GE Marine Engines Marine Systems Supplier, will package the gas turbines at its Houston, Texas manufacturing facility. Each generator-set will be full-load tested by S&S Energy Products prior to shipment to verify power output and to ensure reliable onboard operation. S&S Energy Products expects to ship the LM2500 gas turbines to shipbuilder Fincantieri in Italy in eight-month intervals beginning in April 2001. The first of these new cruise ships are expected to begin service in 2002. S&S Energy Products also is providing 16 GE LM2500+ gas turbines for primary propulsion and all on-board power on the world's first gas turbine-powered cruise ships being built for Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. The first of these eight vessels is slated for service in the spring of 2000. GE Marine Engines, part of GE Aircraft Engines and is headquartered in Evendale, Ohio, is the world's largest designer, developer and manufacturer of aeroderivative gas turbines for a variety of commercial and military marine propulsion applications.