South Korea has started replacing up to 140 state-owned conventionally powered ferries with all-electric vessels to cut the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions
Heamin Heavy Industries shipyard has started building an all-electric passenger ferry with ABB power and propulsion systems. This is expected to be followed by another 139 all-electric ferries to replace existing vessels for Busan Port Authority by 2030.
This would represent one of the world’s biggest green transportation construction campaigns and is a bold statement of intent from a leading nation to cut greenhouse gas emissions from its maritime sector.
The electric ferries are being built as part of South Korea’s sustainable transportation drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, as set out in the country’s Green New Deal unveiled in 2020.
The first is a 40-m catamaran ferry built to carry up to 100 passengers and five crewmembers between Busan’s North and South ports, a one-hour round voyage it will sail at an average operating speed of 13 knots, multiple times a day.
For this project, ABB will deliver an end-to-end electric power and propulsion solution for the twin-hulled ferry, which is due for delivery in 2022. ABB has also signed an agreement with the Busan-based shipbuilder to collaborate on further vessel projects in the future.
This catamaran ferry will be powered by two 1,068-kWh battery packs, which will provide enough power for the ferry to complete up to four return journeys before charging from shore during the vessel’s overnight stops.
ABB’s Onboard DC Grid power distribution system will ensure the battery output is delivered to the vessel’s sub-systems, while ABB PEMS power and energy management system will control the overall power distribution, increase fault tolerance and provide a high degree of reliability.
Once in operation, this ferry will be remotely monitored and supported by ABB Ability operating centres and remote diagnostic tools.
In another move, ABB has introduced an emissions monitoring system it expects will help the maritime industry achieve its decarbonisation targets.
It has developed an integrated unit for continuous emissions monitoring (CEM). CEMcaptain is a multi-component analyser for monitoring sulphur oxides (SOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.
CEMcaptain was designed to operate in harsh conditions to provide continuous real-time data of emissions. It integrates sample handling components and analyser modules in one standalone cabinet.
CEMcaptain is equipped with ABB’s Uras26 non-dispersive infrared gas analyser for simultaneous and continuous measurement of SO2 and CO2 in line with regulation requirements. Each analyser has two separate gas paths to allow for continuous CO2/SO2 measurement of separate streams, with up to four different components per analyser module.
CEMcaptain uses similar technology to ABB’s emissions monitoring devices already deployed in more than 100 countries.
“Our solutions are driving the evolution of sustainable shipping, paving the way to a zero-emissions marine industry,” said ABB head of product management in continuous gas analysers Stephen Gibbons.
“CEMcaptain has been combined with innovations in on-site and remote digital services,” he said. “The result is a solution that provides the maritime industry with a digital toolbox that increases regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.”
CEMcaptain type GAA610-M has secured approved from classification societies DNV GL, ABS, Lloyd’s Register, Bureau Veritas, ClassNK and Korean Register for use on ships.
CEMcaptain can be monitored on board and from shore. Digital services enable remote monitoring, fault reporting and diagnosis. On the CEMcaptain display there are dynamic QR codes with all relevant diagnostic information, which can be scanned and transferred to ABB support.
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