EVENDALE, OH - GE Marine Engines reported that two MDV 3000-class fast ferries for Tirrenia Lines began commercial operation this summer powered by GE's LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines. Both the Aries and Taurus vessels are the world's largest fast ferries.
The MDV 3000-class vessels each feature a combined diesel and gas turbine configuration (CODAG) with two 22-megawatt LM2500 gas turbines and four 6.7-megawatt MTU diesel engines. Total power output is more than 70 megawatts per vessel.
"The LM2500s performed flawlessly and exceeded all specification requirements during sea trials and in initial service," said Bill Millhaem, general manager, GE Marine Engines. "With the start-up of these two vessels, GE currently has 12 LM2500, 10 LM1600 and five LM500 gas turbines in commercial fast ferry service."
Each MDV 3000 reaches speeds in excess of 40 knots, and provides service on the Italian route to Sardinia Island, Italy. The MDV 3000-class fast ferries can carry 1,800 passengers and 460 vehicles.
The ferries were built by Fincantieri, Genoa, Italy for Tirrenia Lines. FiatAvio, a GE Marine Engines Marine System Supplier, placed the LM2500s into propulsion packages.
Four additional LM2500s will be used in a CODAG configuration to power the third and fourth MDV 3000 fast ferries. Operation of these vessels will be in the Spring and the Summer of 1999. The LM2500 gas turbines for the third and fourth MDV 3000 fast ferries will be manufactured at GE Marine Engines' Evendale, OH facility. FiatAvio is expected to complete delivery of the LM2500 propulsion packages to Fincantieri by the Fall of 1998.
GE Marine Engines is part of GE Aircraft Engines and is headquartered in Evendale, OH. GE Marine Engines is the world's largest designer, developer and manufacturer of aeroderivative gas turbines for a variety of commercial and military marine propulsion applications.