ABB wins first electric ferry contract in South Korea

Busan Port Authority has awarded ABB a contract to supply a power and propulsion system for South Korea’s first zero-emissions electric ferry. The vessel will be built at Haemin Heavy Industries in Busan, a specialist in lightweight environmentally friendly ship construction.

ABB will provide electric power and propulsion for the 40m-long twin-hulled ferry, due for delivery next year. The vessel will have capacity for 100 passengers and five crew and will be deployed between Busan’s north and south ports. A round trip takes about one hour at an average speed of 13-14 knots.

The company will supply two 1,068-kWh battery packs providing sufficient power for the ferry to complete up to four round trips before charging from shore during overnight stops. Its Onboard DC GridTM will ensure that battery power is delivered to the vessel’s systems in the most optimal way, whilst its Power and Energy Management SystemTM will control overall power distribution, increase fault tolerance, and provide a high degree of reliability, ABB said.

The ferry is the first of 140 state-owned vessels, currently using conventional fuels, that are to be replaced between now and 2030. The programme is part of the country’s Green New Deal, announced last year, which sets out the basis for its target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Juha Koskela, division president of ABB Marine & Ports, commented: “We are truly proud to have been chosen as technology supplier for the first vessel in South Korea’s clean fleet renewal scheme. Our agreement with Haemin represents a major advance in the local market, supporting South Korea’s plans for sustainable shipping, as part of our strategy for reducing global vessel emissions.”

The company has also signed an agreement to work with Haemin on further vessels in the future.