Ro-pax ferry will be retrofitted with lithium ion-based energy storage system to reduce emissions
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Stena Line is to retrofit ro-pax ferry Stena Jutlandica with a lithium ion-based energy storage system (ESS) from Corvus Energy, allowing it to become the first Swedish ferry line to operate a zero-emission ferry at berth and in port.
Stena Teknik, Stena’s marine technical solutions branch, will work with electrical system integrator Callenberg Technology Group to retrofit the Corvus ESS onboard Stena Jutlandica.
Initially, Stena will switch to battery power for bow thrusters and manoeuvring when Stena Jutlandica berths in port, which should happen this summer. The second step will be to connect the battery propulsion to the ferry’s propellers, enabling her to operate on electricity for around 10 nautical miles. Finally, battery capacity will be further expanded to enable Stena Jutlandica to use electric battery power to travel around 50 nautical miles – the distance between Gothenburg and Frederikshavn.
“Stena Jutlandica will be a showcase ship whose impact extends beyond the boundaries of Scandinavia and the passenger ferry industry,” said Halvard Hauso, senior vice president of Sales and Key Accounts at Corvus Energy. “We are excited about working with the talented people at Stena Teknik, Callenberg and Stena Line to bring their visions of sustainable shipping to fruition.”
The project has been co-financed by the European Union and Swedish Transport Administration.
“The project has been received very positively by maritime and Swedish transportation authorities,” said Per Wimby, project manager at Stena Teknik. “We look forward to gathering knowledge about electric operation and continuing to explore the role that battery operation can play as an alternative to traditional fuel and eliminating emissions.”