UK-based developer and builder of marine engines Rolls-Royce has inked a contract with China’s Afai Southern Shipyard to provide power and propulsion for a third Blue Sea Jet, a fast ferry being built for ship owner and operator Zhuhai High-Speed Passenger Ferry.
The vessel, a catamaran, will be driven by twin MTU 16V 4000M70 engines powering Rolls-Royce Kamewa S71-4 waterjets, Rolls-Royce said.
The ferry is the third in a series of Rolls-Royce powered catamarans to be commissioned by the company.
Scheduled for delivery in September 2017, the catamaran will carry 288 passengers between Zhuhai and Hong Kong, Rolls-Royce said.
In February, Zhuhai took delivery of the first fast ferry, the Hai Qin, which was followed into service by the Hai Jing in March 2016.
Rolls-Royce said that during sea trials, the Hai Qin reached a full load speed of 38 knots. Featuring a length of 41.5 meters and a width of 10 meters, the ferries are driven by MTU 16V 4000 M70 engines delivering 2240kW.