Swedish yard will help ABB to convert two vessels into world’s largest emission-free ferries
By
Rebecca Gibson |
ABB’s project to convert two HH Ferries’ vessels into the world’s largest emission-free ferries is gathering pace after Öresund Dry Docks in Sweden was selected to carry out the work.
Both Tycho Brahe and Aurora will be fitted with ABB batteries, energy storage control systems and Onboard DC Grid technology. This will enable them to operate solely with a combined battery power of 8,320 kWh on the 4km route between Helsingør in Denmark and Helsingborg, Sweden. The new battery solution will lower total emissions across the fleet by more than 50%.
ABB will also use its IRB 7600 technology, 3D laser scanning and wireless communication solutions to supply the first automated shoreside charging stations at the ferry terminals in both Helsingør and Helsingborg. The four fully automated charging arms are currently under construction in ABB´s factories. Civil work will be completed at the quayside in Helsingör and Helsingborg in early 2017.
“Our conversion of the Tycho Brahe and Aurora ferries to battery operation is an essential part of our environmental strategy to reduce emissions and reduce the environmental footprint of our operations on Öresund,” said Henrik Rørbæk, CEO of HH Ferries. “We are proud of the initiative, which is the largest single project investment in the company’s history. When the two ferries will sail on pure electric power before the end of 2017 it will be to the benefit our many passengers and the local environment.”
Tycho Brahe will enter dry dock at the Swedish yard in April 2017 and will resume services as a fully electric ferry as soon as the work is completed. Aurora will undergo the same process in October 2017.
“We have a strong commitment to our customer HH Ferries and we need the best partners to work with us,” said Marcus Högblom, vice prresident of Global Sales, Passenger vessels and Azipod propulsion at ABB. “We have experience of working with our selected suppliers and we are confident that their competence and high technical standards will meet ABB´s and HH Ferries´ requirements for this project.”