By
Rebecca Gibson |
Lorient Agglomération has christened Ar Vag Tredan, the world’s first zero-emission electric passenger ferry.
The 147-passenger ferry was designed by STX France at the Rohu yard. It was developed in conjunction with Stirling Design International as part of the Ecocrizon research and development programme set up by STX France in 2007.
Using STX France’s patented supercapacitator and supercondensers system, the ferry stores the electric power required for one roundtrip and can be recharged in four minutes during port stopovers. The supercondensers, which last between 15 and 20 years, eliminate all carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulphur emissions, making the vessel more economical and environmentally friendly.
Emphasising the innovative nature of Lorient Agglomération’s sustainable strategy, Laurent Castaing, managing director STX France, said: “By entrusting us to produce the first ferry of her kind, you gave us the opportunity to show that there is no such thing as the impossible and that there are limits that can and must be crossed.”
Ar Vag Tredan was delivered by STX on 23 July and will provide 56 daily shuttle crossings across the Lorient roadstead.