By
Elly Yates-Roberts |
ForSea, formerly HH Ferries Group, has converted two of its ferries into all-electric vessels using technology from ABB.
Tycho Brahe and Aurora, which had their diesel engines replaced with battery power to reduce their environmental impact, are now the largest emission-free ferries in the world. They were officially inaugurated after guests boarded Tycho Brahe in Helsingborg, Sweden and Helsingør, Denmark earlier this November.
“We are delighted that the entire system is in place to support the emissions-free operations we envisaged from the outset,” said Johan Röstin, CEO of ForSea. “This is a truly ground-breaking project and the work we have done with ABB will offer invaluable lessons for those following our lead. In shipping, innovation takes time and patience, and we always kept sight of the environmental benefits at stake.”
The European Union’s executive agency for innovation and network, INEA, supported the conversion of the ferries and work was carried out at Öresund Dry Docks in Sweden. During the conversion project, ABB installed a 4,160-kilowatt-hour battery on each vessel, as well as battery racks, energy storage control systems and its Onboard DC Grid power distribution technology. ABB also supplied automated shoreside charging stations using an industrial robot to maximise charging time.
“This project signals a profound shift for the maritime industry, and shows a path towards zero-emission operations, aligned with International Maritime Organization’s goals for decarbonisation,” said Marcus Högblom, head of the Passenger, Dry Cargo and Ice Segment at ABB. “We congratulate ForSea on the inauguration of these vessels, and we are proud to have worked closely with the company to deliver this pioneering solution.”
Högblom added: “This is a landmark project, and we are convinced it will come to be seen as a critical step in shipping’s environmental revolution, as well as a milestone in rolling out ABB’s ‘Electric, Digital, Connected’ strategy for shipping.”