A comparison between diesel-electric and mechanical propulsion plants for a small cruise ship

The paper reports the comparison between diesel-electric and mechanical propulsion plants, employed to a small cruise ship propulsion. The plants prime movers are the Rolls-Royce Bergen marine diesel engines. Both engine versions, characterized by similar rated power but different power lint curve and specific fuel contours trend in the power-speed plan, are tested in all the considered propulsion plant types by simulation. In addition, the diesel-electric propulsion plants are simulated considering the diesel generators working in both constant or variable speed. The comparison between all the considered ship propulsion plants are presented in tabular and graphical form and commented.