Rolls-Royce to launch LNG fueled yacht

Rolls-Royce has revealed a yacht concept designed to exploit hybrid propulsion based on LNG fuel and battery power in the marine leisure market.

The use of LNG as a fuel is increasingly specified for commercial vessels, however, the size of the fuel tanks and the lack of LNG bunkering infrastructure is considered an obstacle for LNG to be used by yachts.

As the company said, the yacht Blue Shadow, will bridge that gap.

Blue Shadow is a smaller 42 metre, remotely-controlled, steel-hulled support vessel used for transporting and launching its mother ship’s, Crystal Blue, tender, helicopter and other equipment.

Furthermore, Crystal Shadow will double the owner’s personal LNG bunkering barge, Rolls-Royce mentioned.

    ‘Burning LNG has clear advantages over Marine Diesel Oil for the yacht sector. There is no smoke, it doesn’t emit any unpleasant odours or fumes and it meets stringent emissions regulations, allowing yachts to enter otherwise prohibited ecologically sensitive waters,’ said Henrik Alpo Sjöblom, Project Manager in the Rolls-Royce Blue Ocean team.

The mother ship, Crystal Blue, can travel 3000 nautical miles without refueling and with the Shadow’s additional fuel capacity, the range increases to 4400 nautical miles, the company highlighted.

    Speaking at the GSF event, Oskar Levander, Rolls-Royce SVP Concepts and Innovation, stated: “With Crystal Blue and Blue Shadow we can more effectively showcase how new digital-based ship intelligence solutions can offer unique possibilities, greater capability and added value to the luxury yacht market, both for new and existing vessels. The systems and technologies Rolls-Royce has available can bring ‘green’ values and previously unheard of levels of comfort to the yacht owner.”