Page 82: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2018)

TECH FILES

Three Balearia Ferries to Convert to LNG

Spain’s Baleària will convert three ferries from diesel to LNG dual fuel using Cater- pillar and MaK solutions.

Incorporating the MaK DF engines will virtually eliminate the sulfur and particu- late matter in the exhaust gases, while also cutting down NOx, resulting in even lower CO2 emissions. The three ferries to be converted are Abel Matutes, Bahama

Mama, and Martin i Soler, each currently equipped with a pair of MaK 9 M 43 C main engines. After the conversion, the vessels will operate on two MaK 9 M 46

DF engines, which has a rated engine out- put of 8685kW. The MaK engines are used in a control pitch propeller application with a gearbox. The conversion will allow the engines to be powered by gas. Caterpillar will provide DF-Engine conversion kits and all the required engine modules includ- ing an ignition fuel oil module, engine ven- tilation modules, an exhaust gas ventilation module, GVU ventilation modules, and gas valve units with housing.

Included in its planning to expand and renew its ? eet, Baleària will also replace the existing main engines on board their high-speed ferry ‘Jaume III’ with four new

Caterpillar 16-cylinder C280 propulsion engines; each engine delivers 5650 kW at 1000 rpm. A similar repower was done back in 2017 on board the sister vessel ‘Jaume II’ resulting in a notable increase in ef? ciency and service, with the ship being able to reach high transit speed.

Photo: Caterpillar MaK

Cat Debuts New Thruster

Caterpillar Marine announced the new MTA azimuth thrusters. Hence, users can achieve a v3, the company’s latest generation azimuth higher average engine load by running only thruster, which is available now. The MTA v3 the necessary engines or generator sets depen- lineup currently covers the entire Cat 3500 dent upon the operation mode. This creates the range with the MTA 524, 627 and 628 from a possibility for reduced fuel consumption. Re- power range of 1500-2525kW. It provides the duced mainte-nance costs can also be achieved bene? ts of large savings in maintenance costs, by running fewer hours on the main engines.

lower maintenance and ser-vice risks, and sim- • Standby and Low-Speed Transits can be ple FiFi installation. operated on full diesel-electric mode.

Optional nozzle pro? les are available de- • High-Speed Transit and Light Towing pending on operation pro? le. In comparison mode can be operated on full power with the to the MTA v2, the MTA v3 is 20% lighter main engines powering thruster and electrical in weight, has decreased oil volume by 27%, load from the gensets.

and has an increased power density of 25%. • Full Power mode provides the maximum

Additional improvements from previous MTA performance available. The main engines and generations include a 3% bollard pull increase. booster motors operate together to achieve full

The normal auxiliaries for azimuth thrusters power, providing the maximum performance such as hydraulic power pack, gravity tank, available. Full power operation also provides ? lters, cooler and clutch hydraulics have all the best possible acceleration from the engine been integrated onto the azimuth unit itself, and gensets.

resulting in reduced space consumption and • Fire Fighting mode where FiFi pump installation time. With the introduction of the is powered by the main engines while the hybrid interface it enables switch ability be- azimuth thrusters are pow-ered by genset and tween mechanically and electric power for the electrical motors.

Photo: Caterpillar 82 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • NOVEMBER 2018

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