VMS Group Supplies Engines to Lindblad Expeditions Newbuilding

A major order for four General Electric gensets for the shipowner Lindblad Expeditions’ newbuilding consolidates VMS Group A/S as the total supplier to the maritime industry.

At VMS Group A/S, we are happy to welcome an order of four gensets based on the new, environmentally friendly L250 and V250 engines from GE Transportation. This order is a very tangible result of VMS Group in its present form, incorporating all the skills needed to handle such a big and complex task.

VMS Group’s agency on GE’s L250 and V250 engines cover the Scandinavian and German markets, and with the order from Lindblad Expeditions, VMS Group draws on the strong synergy in all the capabilities of the company, from sales over the design of foundations, the technical calculations of vibration and noise levels to the assembly and commissioning onboard. Engines delivery is scheduled for spring 2019.

The diesel engines meet the strict requirements for reducing NOx emissions and emissions of soot particles, as set in EPA Tier 4 and IMO Tier III. The technology behind the engine not only overrides the need for SCR-equipment – it also makes it unnecessary to store or use urea on board, thus releasing both load and tank capacities and saving the costs associated with purchasing, installation and maintenance of this extra equipment.

The combination of non-SCR, no dosing and monitoring equipment or urea tanks saves customers up to 75 percent space and reduces the complexity of ship design and yard installation time and cost. The diesel engine integrates an upgraded control system, high-pressure common rail fuel injection, two-stage turbocharging, and advanced exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).

– There are primarily two reasons why the shipowner chooses to install the new engine. First of all, you send a clear signal of environmental awareness and social responsibility, secondly space is very important on a vessel, and as this is an expedition and cruise ship, there are also high demands on noise and vibration reduction for the benefit of the ship’s guests. This demands on the design, and we benefit from the experienced people in our engineering department, says Kim Rasmussen, Sales Director at VMS Group.

Service and trust

Lindblad Expeditions is a marine based expedition travel company headquartered in New York City, with marine operations based in Seattle. They operate innovative small ship expeditions to six continents, including the polar regions, and promote conservation and sustainable tourism globally. The eight and newest addition to their fleet will be built at Ulstein Shipyard in Norway.

These GE engines not only eliminate the need for SCR but all the extra costs associated with urea including elimination of extra weight that comes with SCR and urea containment. It also reduces turnaround time in port due to elimination of urea bunkering. They fully meet IMO Tier III in the reduction of NOx but also EPA Tier 4 on particulates emission which supports Lindblad Expeditions environmentally friendly profile. In addition, we have known VMS Group for several years as they have serviced our vessels well, says Chris Foong, Vice President, Fleet Operations from Lindblad Expeditions.