Ferry operators are widening the range of alternative fuels and propulsion they are using to decarbonise their fleets
The latest issue of Passenger Ship Technology shows how the range of alternative propulsion solutions has widened and moved forward from batteries to methanol, ammonia, hydrogen and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology.
While batteries have been around a good while within the ferry sector, recent projects and newbuilds show advancements, something that will no doubt have a knock-on effect on the ferry industry.
Our ferry profile features Uber by Thames Clipper’s new hybrid-electric Earth Clipper river catamaran. This is a major milestone: the new hybrid-battery ferry is Europe’s first hybrid high-speed passenger ferry, built to the High-Speed Craft Code.
Earth Clipper gives an almost 90% reduction in CO2 emissions compared with running solely on conventional marine diesel.
It will help the ferry industry embrace such technologies as it pushes the boundaries in catamaran design to deliver a future-friendly option that can be made even greener as and when technology allows. The ferry will be followed by two sister vessels.
Its important role on the path to net zero is emphasised as the business plans to introduce a hybrid system as a minimum with any new vessels and where possible, fully electric or zero-emissions technology. In addition to the three hybrid catamarans, work is underway to deliver London’s first fully electric zero-emissions cross river ferry between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe by Q2 2025 – the first of its kind in the UK. Highlighting the importance of lessons learned, some of the experience gained in the hybrid application will be deployed.
This issue covers another project involving batteries. South American operator Buquebús has ordered what will be the largest all-electric ship to date. It will be built by Australia’s aluminium catamaran specialist Incat Tasmania.
The energy storage system (ESS) on board – with more than 40 MWh of available power when charged – quadruples the current largest battery storage system on board a maritime vessel and offers a marker for how far battery storage has come in a relatively short period.
As battery system developer Corvus Energy’s commercial director, Halvard Hauso says, "This ESS is 40 times the size of the first car ferry vessel Corvus supplied."
This raises the bar on what can be achieved in battery-powered ferries.
Elsewhere, our review of Riviera Maritime Media’s Maritime Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cells Conference, Bergen, highlights the different ways in which ferry operators are striving towards net zero, from ammonia, methanol and fuel cells to SOFC technology.
Stena Line sees methanol and biofuels as the future for its green transition and is working towards the 100% electric-powered ferry concept.
While DFDS director and innovation lead for sustainable fleet projects Jakob Steffensen says, “For our future tonnage, we will need ammonia engines and SOFCs.”
Highlighting the development within SOFC, Ceres Power and Alma Clean Power are using this technology for maritime purposes, with the aim of having commercial units ready within two years. These would use more fuel types and chemistries to generate power for onboard requirements including powering electric drives and motors connected to propellers.
Riviera Maritime Media’s Maritime Decarbonization Conference, Americas will be held 12-13 December 2023 in Houston, USA. Use this link for further information and to register your interest
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