Wartsila has introduced the zero or low emission ferry concept on shuttle ferries. This concept is in adherence to the Norwegian government’s new environmental regulations for ferries emphasising the elimination of harmful emissions.
Wärtsilä’s Ship Design office in cooperation with its Electrical & Automation office has developed this optimised design and a single point of contact, thereby streamlining the engineering, integration and follow-up procedures throughout the project phase.
Highlights:
- The design focuses on high energy efficiency with low resistance, both above and below the water line.
- The ferries are designed to run entirely on batteries or in a battery-engine hybrid configuration where the fuel options are liquefied natural gas (LNG) or biofuel.
- In plug-in operation, the fuel consumption is reduced by 100 percent compared to conventional installations, and all local emissions are completely eliminated.
- With the plug-in hybrid configuration, emissions are reduced by up to 50 percent.
- These ferries have new wireless inductive charging system.
- The system eliminates physical cable connections, thus reducing wear and tear and enabling charging to begin immediately when the vessel arrives at quay.
- The design also encompasses a complete electrical and automation package based on the company’s battery/hybrid solution.
- The design includes Wärtsilä azimuth propulsion units and a complete bridge control system.
- The ferry series can accommodate 60 to 120 cars on a single car deck for quick and easy loading and unloading.
In addition to this design concept for newbuilds, Wärtsilä can also provide battery and hybrid solutions for retrofitting existing ferry propulsion units in order to meet the new regulations.
Source: Wartsila
