MTU Series 4000 engines power new catamaran passenger ferry on Martha's Vineyard route

NOVI, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Ava Pearl, a new catamaran operated by Rhode Island Fast Ferry, is meeting the ferry service’s goal of fuel-efficient operation thanks to the vessel’s twin MTU 12V4000 M53 engines from Tognum America. The 34-meter passenger vessel, designed by Incat Crowther and built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, makes three daily round-trips between North Kingstown, R.I., and Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., a one-way distance of 52 miles. In the first two months of operation, the 150-passenger Ava Pearl logged more than 18,700 sea-miles and the fuel savings have added up.

“The ride is very smooth and we’re enjoying a 30 percent fuel savings compared to a larger vessel we used to use on this route. The new Ava Pearl was designed and built just specifically for the open waters between Rhode Island and the island of Martha’s Vineyard.”

“The vessel is performing up to our expectations,” said Charles A. Donadio, Jr., president and owner of Rhode Island Fast Ferry. “The ride is very smooth and we’re enjoying a 30 percent fuel savings compared to a larger vessel we used to use on this route. The new Ava Pearl was designed and built just specifically for the open waters between Rhode Island and the island of Martha’s Vineyard.” Donadio said he selected the MTU engines based on their dependability, their superior fuel-efficiency and the availability of MTU service and support.

The MTU engines, produced by Tognum, were supplied by New England Detroit Diesel Allison (NEDDA), the local MTU distributor located in Wakefield, Mass. “The 1,851 hp MTU 12V4000 M53 engines we supplied are continuous-rated because the customer wanted to extend the time between overhauls as much as possible,” said Dave Taglieri, marine sales manager with NEDDA. “Even operating at constant high speed, this rating will provide at least 30,000 hours of operation between overhauls.”

The vessel is propeller-driven and features a more traditional driveline for simplicity. Donadio said that at the boat’s operating speed of 29.5 knots, propellers deliver higher efficiency than the water jets used on the previous vessel. The Ava Pearl will be used for the Martha’s Vineyard ferry service from May to October and then be available for charter in the off-season, he said.

About MTU

Under the brand MTU the Tognum Group markets engines and propulsion systems for applications in the marine, rail, power generation, oil and gas, agriculture, mining, construction and industrial, and defense markets. www.mtu-online.com

About Tognum America

Tognum America (formerly MTU Detroit Diesel) is a Tognum Group company and is responsible for the manufacture, sales and support of MTU and MTU Onsite Energy branded products in North and Latin America.

With its two business units, Engines and Onsite Energy, the Tognum Group is one of the world’s leading suppliers of engines and propulsion systems for off-highway applications and of distributed power generation systems. These products are based on diesel engines with up to 9,100 kilowatts (kW) power output, gas engines up to 2,150 kW and gas turbines up to 45,000 kW.

The product portfolio of the Engines business unit comprises MTU engines and propulsion systems for ships, for heavy land, rail and defense vehicles and for the oil and gas industry. The Onsite Energy business unit supplies distributed power generation systems carrying the MTU Onsite Energy brand. These comprise diesel engines for emergency power, prime power and continuous power, as well as cogeneration power plants based on gas engines and gas turbines that generate both power and heat. Tognum’s product portfolio also features fuel-injection systems built by L’Orange.

In 2011, Tognum generated revenue of around €2.97 billion and employs more than 10,000 people. Tognum has a global manufacturing, distribution and service structure with 24 fully consolidated companies, more than 140 sales partners and over 500 authorized dealerships at approximately 1,200 locations. Since September 2011, Engine Holding GmbH, a joint venture between Daimler AG and Rolls-Royce Group plc, has a majority holding in Tognum.