Kaohsiung Launches Modernised Bunker-Saving Hybrid Electric Ferry

Ferry Happiness is said to have halved its daily fuel consumption.

Finland-based Visedo Oy (Visedo) has announced that Kaohsiung, Taiwan has launched a newly modernised bunker-saving hybrid electric ferry, Ferry Happiness - said to be the first of its kind in Asia

Replacing its original 300HP diesel engines, the Cijian Island passenger ferry was retrofitted with a Visedo electric propulsion system - a move which Visedo says could "revolutionise" marine passenger transport in the region, reducing greenhouse and diesel emissions.

As a result of the retrofit, Ferry Happiness is said to have halved its daily fuel consumption, and is expected to now save more than 25,000 litres of fuel each year.

"Given the geography, ferries are a vital mode of public transport across East and Southeast Asia but they are also the most energy intensive per kilometer travelled. Until now, diesel ferries have been a dirty but necessary part of life around harbours like Kaohsiung," said Kimmo Rauma, Visedo's CEO.

"Visedo has developed a cost-effective and efficient alternative, so rather than waiting until a vessel's service life ends, harbour cities can swap noisy, dirty and expensive diesel for silent electric powertrains that are more efficient, can halve fuel costs, and emit no fumes or oil pollution."

Visedo is said to have worked alongside Taiwan's Ship and Ocean Industries R&D Center (SOIC) to complete the modernisation project,

"Taiwan's 'Harbour Capital' has long suffered from air pollution and only a few years ago the average person was consuming double the national Taiwan average of carbon dioxide," said ChihHung Lin, Head of SOIC's System Development.

"In response the Kaoshiung City Government is committed to cleaning up its fleet and is currently considering the possibility of replacing all 11 of its vessels with this new type of e-ferry. This also includes embarking on a hybrid tug-boat project."