Construction of first, fast, zero-emission ferry starts in Norway
Illustration of the Medstraum (Source: Kolumbus/NCE Maritime Cleantech)
A zero-emission, twin-hulled fast ferry is now being built at Fjellstrand Shipyard in Norway. The 31m-long catamaran, Medstraum, has capacity for 150 passengers and will be equipped with two electric motors and a 1.5-MWh capacity battery with charging power of more than 2 MW.
Partners in the Transport – Advanced and Modular (TrAM) project, which aims to simplify ferry construction through modular design and production, claim that the vessel will be the world’s first fully-electric and zero-emission fast ferry classed in accordance with the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft.
The Medstraum, the project’s demonstrator vessel, is due to start a trial passenger service between Stavanger and neighbouring communities and islands next spring. The ferry will have a service speed of 23 knots. The vessel’s design has been optimised in various sustainable aspects. Apart from its sources of renewable power, good hydrodynamic performance has been a priority and its alumunium construction results in less weight and easier recycling.
The TrAM partners are hoping that the modular approach to production, which is already a feature of car and airoplane manufacture, will reduce production costs for this type of vessel by 25%, and engineering hours by 75%.
