The Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) introduced its new fleet of electric commuter ferries into service. This move comes as a measure to bring clean emissions-free passenger transport to Thailand.
More specifically, seven new, fully electric vessels were launched, in addition to the prototype vessel, that has been operating in Bangkok for the last two years.
Namely, the MariArt Shipyard has repowered these 48-foot fiberglass ferry boats, replacing their diesel engines with twin electric outboards, twelve large lithium batteries and four fast chargers.
The 30-passenger, zero-emission ships are part of a fleet of ferries operated by BMA’s Enterprise Krungthep Thanakom Company (KT BMA), and they are planned to cover a five-kilometer express ferry route with departures every 15 minutes.
Commenting on the new ferries, KT BMA’s Deputy Managing Director, Dr Ekarin Vasanasong said that it is an important achievement for Bangkok and a key part of Thailand’s 4.0 Smart City vision for a clean, green public transportation system including bus, rail, and waterways.
