EPA approves Rolls-Royce's LNG-fueled marine engine

The following is the text of a press release issued by Rolls-Royce Plc:

(WASHINGTON) — Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has announced that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved for sale in the U.S. market a state-of-the art marine gas engine designed to improve fuel efficiency, dramatically cut harmful methane emissions and meet strict international environmental standards set to take effect in 2016.

Neil Gilliver, President – Merchant, Rolls-Royce said: "This Certificate of Conformity by the EPA for our latest gas engine is good news for the US marine industry because LNG as a vessel fuel is indisputably the best long-term solution for ship owners. Our innovative vessel designs and gas-based power & propulsion systems help ship owners reduce through life costs and improve operational efficiency, while dramatically reducing harmful emissions and meeting strident future international environmental regulations."

The EPA Certificate of Conformity is issued for the C-engine range from Rolls-Royce. These engines are already in operation on car ferries and coastal ferries in Europe, and are being installed on the world’s first gas powered tugs to be used in operation for the major Norwegian oil company Statoil.

"The EPA approval gives us a head start in the US market," added Mr. Gilliver, "and we are proud to be able to provide ship owners with an efficient and long-term solution for reduced fuel consumption and emissions. Furthermore, this latest C26:33 engine, which is highly suitable for tugs, articulated tug barges, ferries, coastal vessels and offshore support vessels, has cut methane slip to very low levels."

The Rolls-Royce marine gas engine ranges fulfill the requirements for operation in Emission Control Areas and the very strict International Maritime Organization (IMO) Tier III rules that come into force in 2016, and the forthcoming and even tougher Tier IV emissions limits.

  1. Rolls-Royce is a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, and has established a strong position in global markets – civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
  2. As a result of this strategy, Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 500 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 4,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in more than 80 countries.
  3. Annual underlying revenue was £11.3 billion in 2011, of which more than half came from the provision of services. The firm and announced order book stood at £60.1 billion at 30 June 2012, providing visibility of future levels of activity.
  4. Rolls-Royce employs over 40,000 people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in over 50 countries. Over 11,000 of these employees are engineers.
  5. In 2011, Rolls-Royce invested £908 million on research and development, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the environmental performance of its products, in particular reducing emissions.
  6. Rolls-Royce supports a global network of 28 University Technology Centres, which connect the company’s engineers with the forefront of scientific research.
  7. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills.
By Professional Mariner Staff