Scandlines has contracted with Norwegian Electric Systems (NES) for delivery of an onshore charging system to the ferry operator’s berth in Rødby, Denmark, to be used for the company’s new zero emission freight ferry.
NES will provide the complete onshore ferry-charging system for the Rødby ferry berth and connect the equipment to the onshore grid system.
Stein Ruben Larsen, NES SVP Sales, said: “The maritime and shipping industries are working to reduce emissions from fossil fuels, and Scandlines is definitely taking their part of this responsibility with both its new ferry and the onshore charging infrastructure which will enable a zero-emission crossing.”
The freight ferry will operate the Puttgarden-Rødby route. The ferry will initially exclusively charge in Rødby, Denmark. In 2019, Scandlines invested in a 50 kV / 25 MW power cable to Færgevej in Rødbyhavn. This cable will now be extended to the ferry berths, where NES will install a 15 kV charging tower, low and high voltage transformers and switchboard, including control and communication system.
With a crossing time of one hour and ten minutes, the ferry is emission free. The ferry can also be operated as a hybrid ferry using both battery and MGO power. In hybrid mode the crossing time is 45 – 50 minutes.
Rasmus Nielsen, Naval Architect, Scandlines, said: “It has been important to us to find a supplier that can handle the entire energy package, covering both the installation aboard the ferry as well as the shore installation, thus avoiding any interface. We are confident that Scandlines and NES together with the yard will set the standard for powerful, sustainable and safe marine technology on our new ferry.”
The ferry is being built at Cemre Shipyard, Turkey, and is expected to commence services in 2024. Cemre Shipyard has awarded NES a separate contract to supply the zero-emission ferry’s battery and control systems, and to act as system integrator for the ferry’s power system and smart control set-up. This means that NES will be in charge of the complete energy design, electric power and distribution including energy storage system (battery) and onshore charging system, representing the largest contract ever for NES.
“Through winning these two contracts, NES will basically manage the complete energy design, from the onshore power grid to the vessel’s propellers,” said Larsen.
