Rajan Wilcox
The RMS Queen Mary 2 is a massive ship. At 1132 feet long, it's not only the largest ocean liner ever to set sail but also longer than the Titanic. So, it's no surprise that it consumes a lot of fuel. But how much fuel does it take to move this behemoth just 17 inches? Well, that depends on several factors, including the ship's speed, the engine's efficiency, and the water and weather conditions. However, we can estimate the fuel consumption by looking at the ship's average fuel efficiency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel consumption for a Transatlantic crossing | 1850 tons of diesel oil |
| Additional fuel for the ship's gas turbine | 1000 tons |
| Time taken to fill the ship's fuel tanks | 6 hours |
| Fuel efficiency | 125 feet per gallon |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel consumption for a Transatlantic crossing
The RMS Queen Mary 2 (QM2) is a massive ship. At 1,132 feet (345.03 metres) long, it is the largest ocean liner ever to set sail. It is also the largest, longest, tallest, widest, and most expensive passenger ship ever built. It is powered by four diesel engines and two gas turbines, and its power plant generates 118 million watts of power—enough to light up a city of 200,000 people.
Given these specifications, the fuel consumption of the QM2 for a Transatlantic crossing is as follows: 1,850 tons of diesel oil and another 1,000 tons of fuel for the ship's gas turbine. This means that for every Transatlantic crossing, the QM2 consumes 2,850 tons of fuel.
To put this into perspective, the QM2's fuel consumption has been compared to that of another famous ship, the QE2. A common misconception is that the QE2 can only travel 6 inches per gallon of fuel, but this is far from the truth. In fact, per passenger, the QE2 is more efficient than travelling by many cars, achieving 125 feet per gallon, which is 250 times better than the often-quoted "fact".
The QM2 is known for its size and sophistication, with the most sophisticated marine technology in the world. It is an express Atlantic Ocean liner designed for regular crossings throughout the year. Its gross tonnage is 149,215, and it has a passenger capacity of 2,695 people, with a standard crew capacity of 1,253. The QM2's top speed is approximately 30 knots (34.5 mph or 55.56 km/h).
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The ship's engine power
The Queen Mary 2 (QM2) is a behemoth of a ship, the largest ocean liner ever to set sail. With a length of 1132 feet (345.03 metres), a width of 135 feet (41.14 metres), a height of 237 feet (72.23 metres), and a gross tonnage of 149,215, it is no wonder that the ship's engine power is a matter of interest.
The QM2 is powered by four Wartsila diesel engines, model 16V46C. These engines are the most popular large cruise ship engines on the market and are known for their low emission rates. Each engine has a power output of 16.8 MW, and together they can develop almost 68,000 kW, which accounts for 57% of the ship's total electric energy. The engines are located in a double bottom configuration deep in the hull, with each engine weighing 217 tonnes.
In addition to its four main diesel engines, the QM2 also has two gas turbines made by General Electric, model GE LM2500. For a Transatlantic crossing, the ship consumes 1850 tons of diesel oil for its engines and an additional 1000 tons of fuel for the gas turbines. This massive fuel consumption highlights the incredible engine power required to propel the QM2 through the water.
The ship's power plant generates 118 million Watts of power, which is enough electricity to light up a city of 200,000 people. With a top speed of approximately 30 knots (34.5 mph or 55.56 km/h), the QM2 is not only a massive ship but also a fast one, thanks to its sophisticated engine setup.
While the QM2's engine power is impressive, it is important to note that its fuel efficiency is much better than commonly believed. There is a myth that the ship can only move 6 inches per gallon of fuel, but this is far from the truth. In reality, the QM2's fuel economy is about 125 feet per gallon, making it more efficient per passenger than travelling by car.
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Comparison to other ships
The Queen Mary 2 (QM2) is one of the largest ocean liners ever constructed. It is 15% longer and 14% wider than the original Queen Mary, which was built in 1934. The QM2 is 1,132 feet (345 m) long, with a width of 135 ft (41 m) at the waterline and a height of 236.2 ft (72 m). For context, the QM2 is two-thirds the length of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and just 55 m (180.5 ft) shorter than the length of Perth's Narrow Bridge.
The QM2 is powered by four diesel engines and two gas turbines, with a maximum speed of 30 knots. For a Transatlantic crossing, the QM2 consumes 1,850 tons of diesel oil and an additional 1,000 tons of fuel for the ship's gas turbine.
In comparison, the original Queen Mary had four turbines in two engine rooms and could reach a maximum speed of 30 knots, the same as the QM2. The Queen Mary was one of the most technologically advanced ships of its day, but the QM2 surpasses it in terms of size and power.
Another well-known ship, the QE2, has often been associated with the misconception that it can only travel 6 inches per gallon of fuel. However, this myth has been dispelled, and the actual fuel economy of the QE2 is 125 feet per gallon, which is 250 times better than the often-quoted falsehood.
While direct fuel consumption comparisons between the QM2 and other ships are not readily available, the QM2's fuel efficiency can be inferred from its fuel consumption for a Transatlantic crossing. With a fuel consumption of 2,850 tons for such a journey, the QM2's fuel efficiency can be contextualized in relation to other ships with similar capabilities.
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Fuel efficiency per passenger
The Queen Mary 2 (QM2) is a highly fuel-efficient vessel, boasting impressive performance for its size. While it is true that larger ships tend to be less fuel-efficient per passenger, the QM2 challenges this notion.
The QM2 is a massive ship, measuring 1132 feet (345.03 metres) in length, with a beam of 135 feet (41.14 metres), and a height of 236.2 feet (72 metres). It has a gross tonnage of 149,215 and can carry up to 2,695 passengers. To power this behemoth, it is equipped with four Wartsila diesel engines, each capable of producing 16.8 MW of power. These engines are known for their fuel efficiency and low emissions, ensuring that the ship operates with a reduced environmental footprint.
Now, let's delve into the fuel efficiency per passenger. The QM2 is designed for regular Atlantic crossings and long-distance travel, and its fuel economy is impressive for a ship of its size. During a Transatlantic crossing, the ship consumes approximately 1850 tons of diesel oil. This may seem like a substantial amount, but when we consider the number of passengers, the efficiency becomes evident. With a passenger capacity of 2,695, the fuel consumption works out to approximately 0.68 gallons of diesel oil per passenger per mile. This is significantly more efficient than travelling in a car over the same distance.
In comparison to other modes of transport, the QM2 holds its own. For example, a typical passenger car with a fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon and accommodating five passengers would consume 0.2 gallons of fuel per passenger per mile. This is roughly three times less efficient than the QM2. Furthermore, when we factor in the comfort, amenities, and luxury that the QM2 offers, the fuel efficiency per passenger becomes even more remarkable.
The ship's designers prioritised fuel efficiency, and this is evident in the choice of engines and overall design. The QM2's fuel economy is a testament to maritime engineering and an indication that large ships can be relatively efficient when properly designed and utilised. While the QM2 may not be as fuel-efficient as smaller vessels on a per-passenger basis, it challenges the notion that larger ships are inherently less efficient.
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Fuel tank capacity
The fuel tank capacity of the RMS Queen Mary 2 ship, or QM2, is not publicly available. However, we can infer some information about its fuel capacity from its fuel consumption and engine specifications.
The QM2 is powered by four Wartsila diesel engines, model 16V46C, which are the most popular large cruise ship engines on the market. These engines are supplemented by two gas turbines made by General Electric. The ship's power plant can generate 118 million watts of power, which is enough electricity to light up a city of 200,000 people. For a transatlantic crossing, the QM2 consumes 1850 tons of diesel oil, plus another 1000 tons of fuel for the ship's gas turbine.
The large fuel consumption of the QM2 is due in part to the size and power of the ship. At 1,132 feet long, 135 feet wide, and with a height of 236-237 feet, the QM2 is the largest ocean liner to ever set sail. It is also much larger than the Titanic, with a gross tonnage of 149,215 compared to the Titanic's 70,327. The QM2 can carry a maximum of 2,695 passengers, only slightly more than the Titanic's capacity of 2,435.
While the exact fuel tank capacity of the QM2 is not known, it can be assumed that the ship has a large fuel tank capacity to accommodate its high fuel consumption and power requirements. The ship's fuel tanks take 6 hours to fill, and the ship has a range of at least 3,000 miles (the distance of a transatlantic crossing) before needing to refuel.
It is worth noting that the QM2's fuel efficiency is often misrepresented. A common misconception is that the ship can only move 6 inches per gallon of fuel, but this is far from the truth. The QM2 is actually quite fuel-efficient, especially when considering the number of passengers it can carry.
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