By
Elizabeth Robinson |
International shipyard group Damen is to build two of the first fully electric, non-cable ferries in Canada after signing an agreement with the Government of Ontario.
Designed to accommodate 300 passengers and 42 cars, one ferry will provide a service between Millhaven and Amherst Island, while the other will cater for 399 passengers and 75 cars and will operate on the Kingston to Wolfe Island route. Both will operate at speeds of up to 12 knots – the same as with conventional propulsion. It is estimated that electrification of the two ferries will reduce emissions by the equivalent of seven million kilogrammes of carbon dioxide per year.
“This is great news for residents and commuters in this region, knowing they will soon be able to ride a ferry that is completely powered by electricity,” said Kathryn McGarry, minister of transportation in Ontario. “Investing in innovative green technology is helping Ontario become a leader in North America for sustainable transportation and our government is committed to improving service, while simultaneously reducing our carbon footprint.”
Damen will also install an automated mooring system and a charging system, which will enable the vessels to automatically connect to the shore power at each ferry port and recharge their batteries.
“It’s good to see the local authority take this cutting-edge and ambitious decision,” said Henk Grunstra, product director at Damen. “This is a perfect fit to our ongoing ambition to electrify public transport all over the globe.”