Natural gas powers world's fastest ferry

Fuel Fix:

Natural gas turbines now are powering the world’s fastest ferry, according to GE.

Two of the turbine-maker’s engines, capable of generating a combined 59,000 horsepower, were installed on a 325-foot passenger and vehicle ferry, GE said.

The ferry has reached record speeds while running fully on natural gas and will soon be delivered to Argentina, where it will begin shuttling passengers between Buenos Aires and Montevideo, Uruguay, according to GE.

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The “wave-piercing catamaran” can travel at a speed of 58.1 knots, or 67 miles per hour, Australian ferry builder Incat Tasmania said in a statement.

“Of course there’s a few speed boats that could surpass 58 knots but nothing that could carry 1,000 passengers and 150 cars, and with an enormous duty free shop on board,” Incat said.

The high-powered vessel runs on two of GE’s 22 megawatt aeroderivative gas turbines, which have modified Boeing 747 jet engines at their cores, GE said.
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This is another example of how the shale boom is transforming transportation.  The Navy should consider using these engines to power its ships.  It would save millions in fuel cost alone, not to mention the benefits of speed in dealing with enemy ships and chasing  drug smugglers.