New Canadian ferries to have electric propulsion systems from Schottel
The ferries are being built by Damen Shipyards
The Ice Class 1A Amherst Island and Wolfe Island will be propelled by four Schottel Twin Propellers STP 260 FP with an input power of 550 kW. Batteries will provide the main propulsive power but will be backed up by a diesel engine.
The Amherst Island will be delivered in 2020 while the Wolfe Island will be commissioned one year later. Both of the double-ended ferries will be managed by MTO, the ferry service of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. The vessels will operate at speeds of up to 12 knots and their electric propulsion systems will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 7,000 tonnes a year.
It is not yet clear where Damen plans to build the ferries but the 33-shipyard group acquired Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering’s majority stake in the Black Sea Mangalia shipyard earlier this year. At the time, Damen said it intended to build and convert high-end vessels at the shipyard, including ferries and offshore construction vessels.
