Viking strikes again Viking Cruises launches its largest passenger vessel to date Viking Legend. V
iking Cruises has added Viking Legend to its fleet and it is now the company’s largest
and greenest
vessel as it operates on a diesel electric propulsion system. Viking Legend is 135m in length with
a width of 11.4m, and can accommodate 189 passengers and 50 crew. Te vessel will be sailing on the rivers of Europe, with its maiden voyage having started in Amsterdam, Te Netherlands. Vacon was commissioned for the job of
supplying and installing the AC drives on Viking Legend, which sees the world’s first river cruise vessel featuring a diesel-electric propulsion system. Te diesel electric propulsion system of the
vessel makes the manoeuvrability of the 135m vessel easier on narrow rivers. It is estimated that the vessel will achieve a 20% boost in fuel efficiency in comparison to any other river cruising vessel in the region says the company. Te ship will also provide a quieter ride for guests by using four smaller propellers
instead of two large propellers. Moreover, both engine rooms have been insulated to further reduce noise and vibration. Viking Legend is equipped with an
integrated propulsion and network system, based solely on inverter-driven asynchronous generators and propulsion motors. The system uses Vacon’s variable-speed AC drives, and asynchronous generators and motors by AEM, Germany. “Viking Legend provides several new and
remarkable technical performance features which will not only significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO2
and NOx emissions,
but will also improve the manoeuvrability of the vessel and minimise cost and maintenance. We are very excited that our technology is part of the world’s first diesel-electric river cruise vessel, which is one of the largest river cruise vessels in Europe,” says Heikki Hiltunen, executive vice president, Vacon Group. The integrated diesel electric network
and propulsion system was developed and delivered by German-based e-powered
Viking Legend sails out with its diesel-electric propulsion system.
marine solutions GmbH & Co. KG (e-ms). “Te innovative network and propulsion
topology of e-ms is based on the cutting edge inverter technology from Vacon. It will now offer new and interesting opportunities for the marine and offshore industry. Tanks to the technically excellent, efficient and comprehensive support from Vacon’s engineers and my own team’s performance, it was possible to materialise this project within the given time frame,” says Peter Andersen, managing director, e-ms. The Main propulsion system consists
of four electrically-driven Schottel rudder propellers. The required electrical power for propulsion system and ship’s network is provided by three diesel generator-sets. Tese are dimensioned in a way (2 x 1000kW, 1 x 560kW) that sufficient power for the network and propulsion drives of the Viking Legend will mostly be provided by two diesel generator-sets only. However, the vessel also has the option of operating on one diesel generator-set. NA
The Naval Architect November 2009
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