Vessel is powered entirely by electricity, eliminating emissions and reducing operating costs
By
Elizabeth Robinson |
Engineering firm Cavotec has connected Asia’s first e-ferry to electrical power, eliminating emissions and reducing operating costs.
The retrofitted passenger ferry, which operates between the island of Cijian and the port of Kaohsiung in Taiwan, is powered entirely by electricity. It entered service last year, following the introduction of a hybrid ferry earlier in 2017. The Kaohsiung city municipality plans to retrofit the rest of its diesel fleet to reduce pollution levels around Taiwan’s largest harbour.
Cavotec’s solution ensures a safe and efficient connection of the ferry to electrical power at the Kaohsiung berth and includes a cable reel, cable and plug, and a socket box onboard the ferry.
“We’re seeing growing interest in plug-in and charging technologies for e-ferries and hybrids in Asia and beyond, together with a high demand for our shore power equipment at major ports, which clearly indicates a strong trend on emissions reduction initiatives,” said Gustavo Miller, president of Cavotec’s ports and maritime division.