Propelling ferry powertrains into the electric age
The marine industry's push toward greener operations is gathering real momentum, and passenger ferry operators in the United States are among those feeling the pressure to act. With carbon footprint reduction becoming an increasingly urgent priority, electric propulsion systems are moving from concept to construction — and at least one U.S. shipyard is already building a vessel capable of carrying nearly 600 passengers and over a dozen vehicles per trip, powered entirely by an electric motor and battery system.
When a Seattle-based naval architect firm was contracted to design the ferry, Regal Rexnord's CENTA™ team was brought in to develop a flexible coupling solution for the drivetrain. Initial designs were drawn up and a budgetary quote provided – but with major infrastructure projects, timelines rarely run smoothly. Two years had passed before government funding was confirmed and construction was given the green light.
This delay, however, proved to have an unexpected benefit, as in the intervening time Regal Rexnord™ had expanded its portfolio significantly through its acquisition of Altra Industrial Motion. That broader capability opened the door to a more comprehensive solution: a CENTAX™ coupling paired with a Twiflex™ disc brake and locking pin device, integrated into a single, factory-assembled powertrain unit. The entire system would be built and tested at Regal Rexnord's Milwaukee facility before shipping to the shipyard — a turnkey approach that simplifies the installation process considerably.
That breadth of portfolio is something Regal Rexnord can bring to any vessel specification, and, vitally, that capability doesn't stand still. The same expertise that makes today's turnkey solutions possible is the foundation for continued innovation as propulsion technology evolves. For a marine industry navigating an accelerating transition toward cleaner operations, Regal Rexnord is a partner built not just for the challenges of today, but for whatever tomorrow brings.
