World’s first electric ferry completes ten years of service
The world`s first all-electric ferry, MF Ampere, has now sailed for ten years on clean energy, saving one million litres of diesel and 5,700 tonnes of CO2 every year
(Source: Corvus Energy)
Norway’s electric ferry, Ampere, has notched up ten years of electric operation carry passengers and vehicles across the Sognefjord on the country’s west coast. The vessel’s battery pack has provided sufficient energy for the ferry to sail the equivalent of 17 times around the world over the decade.
The project was the result of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration’s requirement for sustainable operation on the Sognefjord route. Ferry operator, Norled, rose to the challenge and, together with Fjellstrand Shipyard, won the tender to proceed with the Ampere project.
The environmental results are dramatic. The country’s low electricity prices have enable operating costs per crossing about 85-90% less than a fossil-fuelled vessel, generating savings of close to USD 15 million. Meanwhile, emissions of carbon dioxide have been reduced by 5,700 tonnes a year, Norled claims. The project has also provided a foundation for the electrification of the country’s ferry fleet from north to south.
The shipyard’s Edmund Tolo, R&D Sales Manager, said: “When Fjellstrand Shipyard first started looking at electric ferries back in 2010, we knew that a fully electric ferry would be a challenge on this route due to the distance and power demands. However, when the tender came out, and Norled wanted to make this ferry all-electric, we revisited the idea and found solutions that we thought could work.
“By leveraging existing, proven vessel designs from previous projects and using our expertise in lightweight and optimized energy designs,” he continued, “we managed to create a vessel that is not only efficient but also fully aligned with the future of sustainable transport.”
Challenges included lack of certainty on battery life and no rules and regulations. However, with electrical system integrator, Siemens, battery firm Corvus Energy, shipowner Norled, the Norwegian Maritime Authorities, and DNV, the Ampere has proved a remarkable success.
Additional batteries have now been installed to extend the ferry’s life. It will continue to run the Sognefjord service until four autonomous ferries are commissioned on the service from next year.
