Rolls-Royce Gensets Open First Green Corridor between Europe, Africa

Astilleros Armon, a Spanish shipyard, ordered eight mtu-brand emergency power generators from Rolls-Royce Power Systems to be installed on two fully electric fast ferries. The vessels belong to the shipping company Baleària and, from 2027, will travel 18 nautical miles between Tarifa, Spain, and Tangier, Morocco. With electric power, these ferries will kickstart the first “green corridor” between Europe and Africa.

“The project is a prime example of how emission-free shipping and reliable system technology go hand-in-hand,” said Phil Kordic, Senior Expert, Commercial Marine Business at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. “Our mtu engines make an important contribution to the operational safety and efficiency of these state-of-the-art ships—powerful, lightweight, and tailored to maritime requirements.”

For each ship, Rolls-Royce will supply four mtu Series 20V4000M35S emergency power generators with an output of 2,840 kW each. The generators will guarantee power supply if, for example, the ferries’ on-board batteries were not charged at port. Beyond supplying power for on-board electrical systems, the generators can secure the propulsion system during emergency scenarios.

“For us as a shipyard, the integration of powerful, compact systems is crucial—especially in ship projects such as this one,” said Ricardo Garcia, Head of Marketing, Sales & Business Development at Astilleros Armon. “The mtu gensets from Rolls-Royce meet these requirements and help to provide additional backup for the ferries' electrical systems.”

These mtu engines feature high-power density, low weight, and a compact design—ideal features for high-speed ferries. Baleària’s identical catamarans are fully electric with a maximum speed of up to 26 knots, accommodating 804 passengers and 225 vehicles. Delivery is scheduled for early 2026, with ferries entering commercial service in 2027. The project is supported by international shipping companies, shipyards, port authorities, energy suppliers, and other companies.

EPD for Generators

Last week, Rolls-Royce supplied mtu-brand emergency power generators, verified with environmental product declarations (EPDs), to a European data center operator for the first time. The company partnered with Sphera to develop externally verified EPDs for emergency power generators, publishing recorded data in the international EPD system, Environdec. The EPDs document the complete environmental lifecycle of the mtu 16V4000 DS2500 and 10V1600 systems, including raw material extraction, production and use, and end-of-life recycling.

This newly certified service offering provides extended maintenance intervals: Instead of monthly reviews, operators must only test their emergency power systems on a quarterly basis. The minimized check-in schedule significantly reduces both costs and emissions. The EPD International System is an independent, globally recognized organization based on the ISO 14025 and EN 50693 standards. Registered declarations contain intricate data on resource consumption, emissions, waste generation, and recyclability.

Methanol Engine

In late October 2025, Rolls-Royce successfully executed testing for the world’s first high-speed marine engine using 100% methanol on its test bench in Friedrichshafen, advancing its progress on the meOHmare research project. The meOHmare project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and combines the expertise of Rolls-Royce, injection system specialist Woodward L’Orange, and the WTZ Roßlau technology and research center.