Newbuild is part of UK-based ferry line's strategy to reduce carbon emissions over the next decade
By
Rebecca Gibson |
UK-based ferry line Wightlink plans to operate England’s first all-electric ferry as part of its strategy to reduce its carbon emissions “significantly” over the next decade.
The operator, which provides services between the Isle of Wight and the south coast of England, has already cut its carbon footprint by 33 per cent since 2007. Part of its carbon reduction efforts included debuting England’s first hybrid-powered ship, Victoria of Wight, in 2018. The vessel operates 24/7 using a combination of conventional and battery power, ensuring her carbon emissions are 20 per cent lower than a diesel-powered ship.
Now, Wightlink is working on a new ferry, which will use electric power from batteries to “an even greater extent” than Victoria of Wight. It hopes to be able to use shore power to charge the batteries to enable the vessel to operate in fully electric mode. The project to design and build the vessel is expected to take five years to complete.
“Our aim is to operate England’s first all-electric ferry,” said Keith Greenfield, chief executive of Wightlink. “We are working with our naval architects and technology companies to come up with the best solution to operate ferries with the lowest possible impact on the environment.”