By
Rebecca Gibson |
ABB is to provide a complete power and propulsion solution for South Korea’s first all-electric passenger ferry, which will be operated by Busan Port Authority.
Contracted by shipbuilder Haemin Heavy Industries, ABB will supply two 1,068-kilowatt-hour battery packs, which will provide sufficient power for the ferry to complete up to four 60-minute return journeys between Busan’s North and South ports at an average speed of 13 knots. The batteries can then be charged using shore power during the vessel’s overnight stops.
ABB will also supply its Onboard DC Grid power distribution system to ensure the battery output is delivered to the vessel’s subsystems in the most optimal way, as well as its Power and Energy Management System to control the overall power distribution. The latter system will also increase fault tolerance and provide a high degree of reliability.
Once the ferry enters operation in 2022, experts from ABB’s global network of ABB Ability Collaborative Operations Centers will provide remote monitoring and support services. To do this, it will use advanced data analytics enabled by the ABB Ability Remote Diagnostics System, which ensures optimal operational performance and safety by allowing ABB to detect and correct onboard faults.
“We are truly proud to have been chosen as technology supplier for the first vessel in South Korea’s clean fleet renewal scheme,” said Juha Koskela, division president for ABB Marine & Ports. “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. Sustainability is a key part of the value that we create for all of our stakeholders and the new partnership with Haemin is an example of how we enable a low-carbon society and help preserve resources.”
The new twin-hulled catamaran ferry, which will be 40 metres long and carry up to 100 passengers and five crew members, is part of South Korea’s strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The plan will see 140 state-owned conventionally powered vessels replaced with ships operating on cleaner fuel alternatives by 2030.
“Being commissioned to build the first ever fully electric vessel for the South Korean market is a great honour,” said Hyeong-seok Oh, CEO of Haemin Heavy Industries. “We are looking forward to working with ABB, whose proven technologies and long presence in South Korea are a key part of this landmark project.”
Haemin Heavy Industries and ABB have also signed an agreement to collaborate on further vessel projects in the future.