By
Alex Smith |
Technology group Wärtsilä is to design and equip two zero-emission, battery-powered ferries for Norwegian operator Boreal Sjö. The vessels will be built at Holland Shipyards in the Netherlands.
The ship design is tailored to the intended operating and route profiles of the two double-ended shuttle ferries and includes optimisation of their energy consumption. In addition, Wärtsilä will supply the thruster motors, batteries, onboard and shore-based battery charging equipment, back-up generators and various electrical systems.
“This project is an excellent example of Wärtsilä’s extensive capabilities in delivering optimal design and integrated equipment solutions,” said René Zuidam, account manager of newbuild sales at Wärtsilä Marine. “These battery-powered ferries represent the future in environmental sustainability, and their design is the result of the years of R&D that Wärtsilä has invested in smart marine solutions to lower the carbon footprint of shipping.”
The two ferries will not be identical. One will be 30 metres long and capable of carrying approximately 100 passengers, while the other will be 50 metres long with capacity for up to 149 passengers and crew. Equipment is scheduled for delivery to the shipyard at the beginning of 2021, and the ships are expected to begin operations in autumn 2021.
“Both Wärtsilä and Holland Shipyards Group have extensive experience in the electrification of vessels and a shared vision to provide sustainable solutions to the transport sector,” said Marco Hoogendoorn, director of Holland Shipyards Group. “The combined expertise of both organisations forms an excellent base for a valuable and successful cooperation.”
The ferries will operate on the routes between Launes and Kvellandstrand, and Abelnes to Andabeløy routes in Norway.