Press Release
"We faced strong competition for the Cunard order, but the LM2500+ prevailed with its unmatched experience in various marine applications," said Karl Matson, General Manager of GE Marine Engines. "We are very excited to be an integral part of this important program," Matson added.
The liner will use two GE LM2500+ gas turbine generator sets in a Combined Diesel and Gas Turbine (CODAG) configuration with four diesel engines. Top speed is expected to reach 30 knots.
The 150,000-gross ton Queen Mary 2 will be the first vessel to be propelled by four podded propellers extending beneath the hull. The two forward pods are fixed and the two aft pods are steerable. Tests conducted using a model of this steering system showed the liner will be capable of performing maneuvers in compliance with standards for similar vessels using different propulsion and steering systems. Two sets of stabilizers likewise performed as expected, smoothing the model's motion to create an enviable standard of comfort on board.
Chantiers de l'Atlantique, St. Nazaire, France will build the 1,132-foot long, 135-foot wide Queen Mary 2. The liner will be as tall as a 23-story building, will be the most costly passenger ship ever built, with a total estimated cost of $780 million, and will carry 2,620 guests and 1,254 crew. In comparison, Cunard's Queen Mary measures a mere 81,000 gross tons when it set sail in 1936, with accommodations for 776 cabin class, 784 tourist class and 579 third class passengers.
The LM2500+ gas turbines will be manufactured at GE Marine Engines' Evendale, Ohio facility. The LM2500+ gas turbine-generator sets were sold and will be packaged by GE Aero Energy Products, Houston, Texas. GE Aero Energy Products is a GE Power Systems business and a GE Marine Engines Marine Systems Supplier.
GE continues to broaden its presence in the cruise industry. The Queen Mary 2 order brings the total to 22 LM2500+ and five LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines operating or slated for service on cruise ships, either in combined gas turbine and steam turbine integrated electric drive systems (COGES) or CODAG arrangements. In addition to Cunard Line, other major cruise lines to employ GE engines are Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America and Princess Cruises.The LM2500+
The 40,500 shaft horsepower LM2500+ is GE's newest aeroderivative gas turbine. Based on the design of the industry-leading GE LM2500, this machine delivers up to 25% more power at a simple-cycle thermal efficiency in excess of 39%. It is designed to achieve reliability equal to the precedent-setting 99.6% reliability of the LM2500. The LM2500+ gas turbine's high efficiency, reliability, and installation flexibility make it ideal for a wide variety of marine power generation and mechanical drive applications.
The first LM2500+ gas turbines entered marine service in 2000 aboard Celebrity Cruises' Millennium cruise ship and the SNCM fast ferry. The gas turbine is also under consideration for various other naval applications. In fact, GE recently received funding from Ingalls Shipbuilding to begin engineering work on equipment to be used on the U.S. Navy's eighth LHD Wasp-class large-deck, multipurpose amphibious assault ship. The ship will be powered by two LM2500+ gas turbines.
Cunard Line, one of the world's most recognized brand names with a classic British heritage, is operated by Miami, Fla.-based Cunard Line Limited. The Cunard fleet includes famed Queen Elizabeth 2 and Caronia. Cunard Line is a unit of Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL).
GE Marine Engines is part of GE Aircraft Engines and is headquartered in Evendale, Ohio.
GE Marine Engines is the world's largest designer, developer and manufacturer of aeroderivative gas turbines for a variety of commercial and military marine propulsion applications.
