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Engine selection for cruise ships is a complex process that involves evaluating and balancing various factors. The aim is to choose engines that provide the necessary power, fuel efficiency, reliability, and environmental sustainability to enhance the overall cruising experience while minimizing ecological impact. Modern cruise ships use diesel-electric engines, while newer cruise ships are moving towards more environmentally friendly solutions like liquified natural gas.
Biggest Ship Propellers in the World
All ships have installed ABB's "Intelligent Maneuvering Interface" and the "OCTOPUS" software optimizing fuel consumption and energy management. All these ships were constructed by the German shipbuilder MV Werften. Currently, almost 2/3 of all large-sized cruise vessels, icebreaking ships, and high ice-class cargo ships are with Azipod propulsion. RMS Queen Mary 2's four main diesel engines are above the keel, with two smaller gas turbines on top-deck (aft of the funnel).
Combined Gas and Steam Turbine Engines (COGAS)
There are several reasons for keeping the cruise ship engine room away from passenger areas. In the early 20th century, heavy fuel oil came into more general use and began to replace coal as the fuel of choice in steamships. Its great advantages were convenience, reduced manpower by removal of the need for trimmers and stokers, and reduced space needed for fuel bunkers.
Wartsila to supply LNG engines for Accor's luxury cruise ships - LNG Prime
Wartsila to supply LNG engines for Accor's luxury cruise ships.
Posted: Thu, 05 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Transmission of power
In these vessels, the nuclear reactor heats water to create steam to drive the turbines. When first developed, very low prices of diesel oil limited nuclear propulsion's commercial attraction. The advantages of its fuel-price security, greater safety and low emissions were unable to overcome the higher initial costs of a nuclear powerplant. In 2019, nuclear propulsion is rare except in some Navy and specialist vessels such as icebreakers. In large aircraft carriers, the space formerly used for ship's bunkerage is used instead to bunker aviation fuel.
Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas
This system's steering is done by a rudder (in the propeller's aft). All ships are supplied with emergency generators to maintain vital electrical power. Backup generators are located higher up and also outside engine room spaces to isolate them from damage or fire. In 2003, Carnival Cruise choose common-rail, four-stroke engines developed by MAN Diesel & Turbo. These engines were designed to operate in 133,000 tonne cruise ships and are capable of delivering 83,700 horsepowers (62,400 kW). Marine engines on ships are responsible for propulsion of the vessel from one port to another.
The special engines of LNG-powered cruise ships use natural gas cooled to approximately -260°F. Once cooled, the liquid form of natural gas is about 600 times denser than natural gas, making it easier to transport. Although you might envision the engine room as a massive open room running the ship’s length, the lower decks are divided into several water-tight compartments. One compartment may house the cruise ship water fresh water systems, another for the main engines, and another for the air conditioning.
AIDA's LNG-powered cruise ships
Engine reliability is crucial to maintaining continuous operation without unexpected downtime or performance issues. Cruise ship operators rely on engines that have a proven track record of reliability and longevity. Robust design, quality manufacturing, and adherence to rigorous maintenance schedules are critical factors in ensuring engine reliability. Cruise ship operators also monitor and analyze fuel consumption data to identify areas for further improvement. This data-driven approach allows them to implement fuel-saving strategies and continuously optimize engine performance.
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In rougher seas, other options may need to be considered for the safety of those on board. Engineers compensate for the noise by incorporating sound reduction technology. Since they are so large, they are placed in a separate compartment found in the cruise ship’s machinery space. Modern passenger ships contain two DG rooms, which are forward and aft. Looking at a cruise ship, it is easy to wonder about the size of a cruise ship engine. The heat generated from the engine is recovered and used to produce electricity for other onboard systems, such as air conditioning and water heating.
Cruise ship propellers
The next photo shows the world's largest passenger ships' engine that powers each of the Royal Caribbean Oasis-class vessels. For stability, the ship's heaviest weights are at its lowest possible deck, and usually, engines are mounted above the keel. An area creating enough power for driving such an enormous vessel through water needs to be really big - very often engine rooms occupy at least three decks. Rather than long halls stretching the length of hulls, machinery is almost always divided into smaller compartments - one for the main engines, another for the heating/air-conditioning system.
This technology is not that different from how the steamships of the 19th century. The powerplant is controlled by ABB's PEMS (Power and Energy Management System), which also optimizes the onboard energy use. Ships' batteries are charged using hydropower (water-generated electricity), which as of 2019 accounts for ~7% of the USA's total electricity production.
Large equipment (such as the bow thrusters, or, in the case of diesel electric ships, the actual propulsion motor) requires high-voltage electricity. For smaller machinery, such as lights in your cabin or the equipment in the galley, the electricity goes through a transformer and is stepped down into a more useable, lower voltage -- such as 110V. On some smaller and midsize ships, such as National Geographic Explorer or Windstar's Star Breeze, Legend and Pride, the concept has not changed dramatically. The mechanics are the same; the main difference is how the power is created. Instead of steam making the pistons go up and down, the ignition of fuel now creates pressure and pushes the pistons up and down, turning the crankshaft connected to a propeller shaft.
The latter helps to reverse the vessels without the need to reverse the prime-mover. The AZIPOD is the first diesel-electric podded propulsion that is capable of azimuthing through 360 degrees. The use of high voltage for DE propulsion is with the view of reducing current and conductor size. This also has the effect of considerably reducing copper, eddy and hysteresis losses. This is where crews demonstrate how to safely use life jackets and outline a designated meeting point in the event of an emergency.
The point of all of this decibel talk is, despite the fact that adjacent cabins are well protected and the noise level is not damaging in any way, you’ll still be able to hear it through the floor and walls. Rooms located in the center of a ship generally don’t contain the luxury of windows, so it may make people feel claustrophobic. However, there are other reasons why these cabins are less desirable besides the fact that they are noisy.
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