A massive 2.7 megawatt-hour lithium polymer battery system from Canada's Richmond BC-based Corvus Energy is capable of powering the 14,500-tonne Scandlines ferry Prinsesse Benedikte, with its 300 cars and 900 passengers for up to half-an-hour on its 20 km run between Rodbyhavn, Denmark and Puttgarden, Germany; but that’s not the main reason for the retrofit installation announced by the companies at the recent commissioning. Ferry 'Prinsesse Benedikte': Photo credit ScandlinesA best of both worlds kind of solution, Fini Hansen, Technical Superintendent, Fleet Management, Scandlines Danmark A/S explained: “Scandlines is making a significant investment in new green technology that will benefit the people in the areas adjacent to the harbour and beyond in terms of reduced pollution. Corvus batteries are used primarily to minimize diesel engines running at non-optimal load. Further, this means load-leveling function in order to keep a high level of fuel efficiency and reduced n... [More]

The Norwegian shipping industry is teaming up and has taken a leading role in developing battery-powered ships. The first four hybrid vessels will start to sail in 2013/14. In 2015, they will be followed by the world largest fully electric ferry, which will regularly cross Norway’s largest fjord. Some 120 managers representing the entire maritime cluster were gathered at a DNV seminar last week. “15 years ago, the Norwegian cluster was looking into opportunities for gas-fuelled ships. Today, Norway is the pioneer when it comes to LNG-fuelled ships. Electricity stored in batteries on board ships is another opportunity in the future energy mix and another technology race which has started. We have been running that track for a while already,” says Narve Mjøs, Director of Battery Projects in DNV and in charge of the seminar. “International shipping is facing a tough time with escalating fuel prices, stricter environmental regulations and very low day rates ... [More]

Siemens, Norwegian shipyard Fjellstrand and shipping company Norled have developed what they say is the world’s first electrically powered car ferry. The 80-meter vessel can carry 120 cars and 360 passengers. From 2015 onward, it will serve the route between Lavik and Oppedal, Norway, across the Sognefjord. The vessel currently serving this route uses on average one million liters of diesel and emits 570 metric tons of carbon dioxide and 15 metric tons of nitrogen oxides a year. The companies developed the electrically powered ferry for submission to a competition organized by Norway’s Ministry of Transport.  As a reward for winning the competition, the shipping company Norled has been granted the license to operate the route until 2025. Rather than a diesel engine, the ferry is equipped with electric motors to drive the ship’s two screws. These motors are powered by a battery weighing 10 metric tons. The ship has been specially designed to fit the requirements ... [More]

Italian shipyard Cantieri Navali Megaride is constructing an offshore supply vessel (OSV) Guardia Costiera. The vessel has a LOA of 65 m and beam of 12 m, and is designed by Errenavi, Rome to RINA classification society rules and features a CODLOD hybrid propulsion system provided by Siemens Siship EcoProp. A two shaft propulsion arrangement uses Caterpillar 3512C main diesel engines each driving a ZF 9300 PTI transmission with Siemens180 kW electric motors Electrical power is supplied by four Caterpillar C18 gensets each of 275 kW output. [More]

Last month the keel laying ceremony for the Alaska Region Research Vessel (ARRV) R/V Sikuliaq, took place at the Marinette Marine Corporation (MMC) shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin. The LOA is 261.5ft, maximum beam 52.0ft, draft is 19.5ft and loaded displacement is 4,065 long tons. She has a maximum speed of 14 kn in calm water. Several challenges had to be overcome in the design of the propulsion system for this research ship. Two Siemens main propulsion motors drive each pod. Electric power on board is supplied by two MTU 16V4000 plus two MTU 12V4000 gensets. Completion date for the vessel is April 2013. [More]