Norwegian ship yard Fjellstrand AS has signed a contract with Norwegian ferry operator Fjord1 for the building of a new ZeroCatTM 120 car ferry. The full electrical ferry has been developed by Fjellstrand, and it will be presented in detail at Nor-Shipping.
Fjellstrand was also responsible for building the car ferry MF Ampere, the world’s first full electrical ferry. The new ferry is a further development of the MF Ampere and will be equipped for higher speed and longer range. It will have a length of 87,5 meters and a beam of 20,8 meters and will have capacity for 120 cars, 12 trucks and 296 passengers.
“MF Ampere has been in service for two years now and has sailed a distance equivalent to four times around the equator. This has given us valuable experience for the further development of zero emission technology for ferries and other vessel types”, says Edmund Tolo, Sales Manager in Fjellstrand AS.
To achieve the lowest possible energy consumption, the vessel will be built in aluminium with a catamaran hull. Aluminium vessel is approximately 60 percent lighter than vessels built in steel and the battery acks and charging stations can therefore be smaller and more effective. Aluminium is also a very sustainable material as it doesn’t distinguish toxins and as it can be recycled in eternity without losing quality.
The ship systems in the new ferry has been optimised for high energy efficiency. In addition to the battery systems bio-diesel generators will be installed, allowing the ferry to be operated directly by these or in hybrid mode via the batteries. The ferry will operate the crossing fully electric. In addition to the battery systems, bio-diesel generators will be installed as back up when charging is not available.
“Zero emission and low energy consumption are key elements valued in this tender and this ferry makes it possible to run even longer ferry crossings solely on batteries. We are very pleased that Fjord1 has placed this order with Fjellstrand and see it as see this as a vote of confidence for the development Fjellstrand has conducted within the development of the environmental ferries of the future”, says Tolo.
“Through political input we have encouraged the Norwegian public authorities to set strict environmental regulations for ferries and passenger vessels. We are pleased to see that in addition to benefiting the environment this work has also resulted in new contracts for our cluster partners”, says General Manager in NCE Maritime CleanTech, Hege Økland.
Delivery of the ferry is scheduled for Q4 2018. It will operate the crossing between Halhjem and Vaage on the west coast of Norway.
This year’s Nor-Shipping Conference takes place in Oslo, Norway, from May 30th to June 2nd. The ferry is going to be presented in detail at the NCE Maritime CleanTech stand A01-32.
