Since the 1950s, GE has been providing and servicing aeroderivative marine gas turbines. We’ll help find a versatile engine that pairs with your ship’s energy and propulsion profiles. Aeroderivative designs result in faster installs and smaller footprints—making integration cost-effective for anyone looking for new kinds of efficient power in the cruise industry.
GE’s LM2500* gas turbines might be used on aircraft carriers and other military vessels, but their leading durability, availability, and reliability serve the cruise line industry in the four corners of the world. This includes Carnival Corporation’s brands, Holland America Line, Cunard Line, and Princess Cruises. The Royal Caribbean Group depends on this turbine for eight ships from their brands Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, making them one of the top global operators of LM2500 gas turbines, with 24 total in their fleet.
With markedly high power density, >99% reliability, and >98% availability, what else makes our aeroderivatives sought after as cruise ship turbines?
Lower emissions: NOx at 15 ppm with SAC or dry low emissions technology
High reliability and availability: driven by our engine-exchange philosophy
Operational flexibility: five-minute startup and markedly high ramp rates
Configuration options: Sprint, SAC/DLE, black start, cold weather, and more
Grid-firming capable: quick start combined with synchronous condensing
Fuel flexibility: wide Wobbe index of 35 – 60 MWI, propane, hydrogen
Cogen and CHP fit: “right sized” for medium-to-low steam cogeneration
Power density: up to 7 x the power density of reciprocating engines
GE offers a variety of aeroderivative for marine endeavors of all sizes. We’ve been improving them for 50 years, with 150 million operating hours worldwide. Learn more about our turbines and see which one’s right for your voyages.
Help meet ship needs where flexible power is required quickly and efficiently. The LM2500XPRESS 50 Hz and 60 Hz modular gas turbines feature a 34-MW simple cycle power output and up to 39% simple cycle efficiency.
Its start time in simple cycle configuration is less than five minutes, and its ramp rate is 20 MW/minute. The LM2500XPRESS* is a modular and scalable, prefabricated, skid-mounted, pre-commissioned solution. Enjoy reduced on-site installation and commissioning—and a zero water-consumption requirement.
On sea or land, the LM2500 is the most reliable aeroderivative gas turbine in the world, featuring a reliability of 99.8%.
Recommended for combined cycle, onshore and offshore power generation, mechanical drive, and cogeneration, the LM2500 features 21 – 34 MW simple cycle output. With up to 39% efficiency, it also accommodates a wide variety of fuels. It comes with optional clutch-less synchronous condensing.
Our upgrades like asymmetric diffusers, alternative fuel retrofits, and turbine-lockout prevention can greatly modify LM/TM2500s, but what makes aeroderivative gas turbines such a match for ocean travel?
Start-up efficacy: They have faster start-up times with little or no cyclic life penalty and a modular construction.
Easy mobilization: They’re “footprint friendly” for quicker installment, removal, replacement, and reallocation.
Operational flexibility: They accept loads faster with the ability to split or share them, yet still maintain fuel efficiency.
Lightweight frame: With a small energy footprint, they utilize advanced materials half the weight and take up 30% less floor space.
Annual maintenance: Requiring it just once a year on average, this helps save thousands of man-hours—and thousands of dollars in lube oil costs.
What can a ship using GE turbines accomplish in 274 days? A trip that breaks records and hits all seven continents. Royal Caribbean has billed its Ultimate World Cruise the longest world cruise in history, and it will take place aboard the 962-foot Serenade of the Seas—with GE’s LM2500+ gas turbines getting things underway.
boost to ship power with a steam turbine and two LM2500+
minutes of continuous operation required by Serenade of the Seas
We love the reliability of GE’s LM2500 gas turbines, especially for their durable design and low downtime. In cases of both planned and unplanned work, we can replace the entire engine of a cruise ship in 12 hours. This makes it a dream for every engineer on board.
Anders Aasen
Vice President of Global Marine Operations, Royal Caribbean Group
*Trademark of General Electric Company
