Sunday 21 June 2020

Wärtsilä to develop two zero-emission battery-powered ships for Norwegian ferry operator

Finnish manufacturer Wärtsilä has announced it will design and equip two new zero-emission, battery-powered ferries.

The ships are to be built for the Norwegian ferry operator Boreal Sjö serving two different routes in the country.

The first one is a 30-metre-long vessel capable of carrying ten cars and approximately 100 passengers, while the other is a 50-metre-long vessel for 35 vehicles and nearly 150 passengers.

The smart technologies firm says it will supply the motors, batteries, onboard and shore-based battery charging equipment, back-up generators and various electrical systems.

René Zuidam, Account Manager, Newbuild Sales, Wärtsilä Marine, said: "These battery-powered ferries represent the future in environmental sustainability and their design is the result of the years of research and development Wärtsilä has invested in smart marine solutions to lower the carbon footprint of shipping."

The ships are expected to start operations in autumn next year.