Siemens wins electric ferry contract
Artist’s impression of the new ferry for operator Fjord1 (Image: Multi Marine)
The all-electric ferries operated by Fjord1 will ply the E39 Anda-Lote route on the west coast of Norway. Both will have a cargo capacity of 120 cars, twelve trailers and 349 passengers. Operation on the 2.4km-long route will start in January 2018.
On board each of the two new ferries, Siemens will install a complete integrated electric power and automation solution: The electric propulsion solution BlueDrive PlusC includes lithium-ion batteries as energy storage and thruster and remote control for the propellers, an energy management system and an integrated alarm and monitoring system. The ship's energy storage system is charged at each side of the crossing – with a shore connection to the local grid – and is monitored from the ferries based on WiFi communication.
Today the ferries are operated with diesel engines. Their route on the west coast of Norway is the first ferry connection where the country’s road administration requires the use of zero-emission technology. The tender dictated that one of the ferries be based on zero emissions, and the second could be a low-emissions ferry. Fjord1 chose two electric battery-powered ferries, giving a better overall return both financially and for the environment.
The technology has been developed in Norway and is based on solutions designed for offshore vessels, Siemens says. This ensures it has been tested under tough conditions and refined over many years.
