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This ensures that the selected engines meet the unique operational requirements of the cruise ship while adhering to safety and environmental standards. It reduces noise and keeps the heat generated by a fully operating engine from coming out on adjacent decks. On a cruise ship, this is very important, where comfort is one of the cruise line’s top priorities. The electricity they produce is sent to electric motors, which then power and turn the propellers. Often, there are many comparatively smaller engines that make up the power demand for the ship; in port, only one engine may be online, but out at sea at full speed, they may all be online. The pistons were connected to a crankshaft, which turned the vertical motion of the pistons into a rotational movement.
Biggest Ship Propellers in the World

Diesel powered vessels are fitted with catalytic-reduction equipment and systems to treat exhaust and minimise environmental impacts. Advantages of a gas turbine system include the need for fewer maintenance staff and a simpler spare parts inventory. A steam turbine is synchronised with the gas engine, recovering heat which is then transformed into electricity to power water heating, air conditioning and other onboard services.
Azimuth Podded propellers (Azipods)
Each passing year, new technologies are being conceptualized, designed, experimented and fitted on new ships. Power cables from the HV switchboard connect to the PEM in a conventional DE propulsion system, which converts the electrical power to mechanical power. It then gets transmitted to the propellers with the help of lengthy shaft lines, bearings and thrust blocks.
Ease of control
This engine takes 4 cycles to complete the transfer of power from the combustion chamber to the crankshaft. They need enough space not just for the engines, but also for the generators, the fuel tanks, the control room and the engine workshop. If you are in the ship’s engine room as it is running, a cruise ship engine is still pretty loud. In fact, it’s loud enough that anyone working in the engine room is required to use hearing protection equipment, or it will damage their hearing. Aside from housing generators and engines, pumps and heat exchangers are located here to cool the engine and stabilize motors and fins, in addition to the bow thruster system. Since equipment depends on electricity, modern ships contain backup generators on the outside of the main engine room in the event of a fire.
A large cruise ship of 1,100 feet in length can hold between 1 to 2 million gallons of fuel. The boiler produced steam which created pressure in a pressurized system. The NACOS is the main software used to coordinate all factors that need to be taken into consideration, in order to navigate and maneuver the ship safely. An intelligent autopilot tracks changes in the behavior of the ship through navigational sensors. If the ship drifts off its course due to strong winds, for example, the system automatically responds to correct the change by sending signals straight to the engine room. Once the signal is received by the engines, the rudder or thrusters of the ship are activated and move to the position given by the system.
How Are Cruise Ship Power Systems Evolving?
Finally, in 1952, the USS Nautilus was launched, the world's first nuclear powered submarine, which eliminated the restrictions of both diesel fuel and limited duration battery propulsion. "Rotor Sail Solution" is an innovative technology developed by the company Norsepower Ltd (Finland) in 5 years. It reduces fuel consumption and also COx emissions up to 900 tons per year (depending on wind conditions). In April 2018, the Norwegian cruise and ferry company Hurtigruten announced a USD 150 million fleet renovation project. Almost all vessels will be upgraded with new hybrid powerplants that combine LNG-engines and batteries. Shares his personal opinion about cruise deals and cruise tips that might help other travellers.
Conventional Diesel
On newer cruise ships, engine rooms are found on the aft of the ship and on the lower decks. To distribute the electrical power, large cables snake through the ship. Hundreds of miles of cables carry power from the generators to switchboards and eventually through passageways, cabins and public rooms.
Flexibility of engine-room layout and huge space saving
The engines must comply with stringent safety standards to protect passengers, crew, and the ship itself. Safety features such as automatic shut-off systems, fire suppression systems, and sophisticated monitoring and control systems are integrated into modern cruise ship engines. Cruise ships traditionally used heavy fuel oil, but there is a growing shift towards cleaner fuels. Many cruise lines now invest in engines that can run on low sulfur marine gas oil or even liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The Advantages of Getting a Cabin Near the Engine Room
Ships' gas mileage varies depending on the type and size of ship, the number of passengers on board, and other factors. Probably you've heard about Carnival cruise ship accidents related to power failures in 2013. Cunard QE2, for example, consumes daily 380 tons of fuel when traveling at 29 knots speed and carries fuel enough to sail for 12 days. Usually, ships fill up at various seaports and use fueling barges as floating gas stations. Vessels use lower-grade diesel which tends not to burn as purely as diesel-powered road-going vehicles.
Some people argue that most people don’t spend much time in a cabin – they are too busy exploring the cruise ship. There is plenty to do onboard, and if you enjoy the social scene, you may not spend much time inside the cabin other than to sleep. Regardless of the ship’s size and type of engine, engines are extremely loud. Engineers compensate for this fact by incorporating sound reduction features and technology to keep the room well insulated, so it is less noisy for guests. With Royal Caribbean’s largest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas, currently under construction in Finland, any milestone is significant!

Ships that are equipped to use auxiliary wind power have a special rotor sail on deck that uses the direction of the wind to create a force to keep the ship moving forward. These rotor sails are very sensitive to the wind and can shut down when conditions are unfavorable. Fincantieri used Promas Lite propulsion for all Viking Ocean liners. Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
Rather than steam, the ignition of diesel fuel pushes the pistons up and down, turning the crankshaft attached to the propeller shaft. Most of the heavy machinery on a cruise ship is located on the lower decks, just above the keel. The positioning of the engine room, other machines, and technical equipment give the massive vessels a lower center of gravity. The main switchboard of the ECR is used to distribute the generated electricity to where it is needed on board. Communication between the ECR and the bridge is crucial for the safe operation of the ship, especially during docking, moving through shallow waters, maneuvering, and changes in the course or speed of the ship.
Carnival Cruise Ship In Trouble With Engine Difficulties - Cruise Hive
Carnival Cruise Ship In Trouble With Engine Difficulties.
Posted: Mon, 06 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Airplanes, for example, require tremendous propeller speeds to provide the forward motion, but ship propellers don't need to turn so fast and rely on torque power. Therefore, ships travel slowly and rarely top 30 knots (for more info follow our speed-link above). A cruise ship carries enough fuel to travel non-stop for up to two weeks, and itinerary stopovers are factored in with refuelling an essential consideration. The cost of running a cruise ship is partially determined by fluctuations in global fuel prices. Celebrity Cruises' Edge Class of ships has been known to introduce cruise industry firsts.
However, since we can’t really do that, we can only go off of how many decibels it puts out when under operation, in place, on a cruise ship. The MAN Energy Solutions service brand not only provides 24/7 service across the globe, we are also your go-to for retrofit and upgrade solutions. Our digital updates enhance your operation, enabling remote monitoring and automated control.
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