Faster ferries to replace fast ferries
The EU's NORMA project is addressing the need of the European shipbuilding industry to remain competitive on a global scale. Developing technologies for the expanding Fast Ferry market therefore, poses not only a technical challenge but an economic one as well. The new Fast Ferries will have to be quicker and of lower weight but they will have to provide improvements in terms of passenger comfort and noise reduction. A UK-based research group has worked on a new propulsion system, the components of which had to meet the improved standards posed by the market. The group analysed issues associated with gas turbine installation, in terms of structural noise and a number of other aspects. The aim has been to arrive at an accurate installation design model to facilitate modelling of vibration transmission to the ship structure. Furthermore, the group has focused on its Active Noise Control (ANC) technology combined with a simulated diesel exhaust to further address noise reduction and comfort requirements. Meeting the new objectives is likely to transform the EU's shipbuilding industry and possibly allow it to enter a new era of growth. Achieving a combination of low costs and weights with increased comfort and speeds appears challenging but the present result forms part of European efforts towards this goal. These new technologies are likely to have a further impact on energy storage and conversion techniques as well as the transportation industry at large.