ABB Shortlisted for Environmental Award for World's Largest Emission-Free Ferries

ABB has been shortlisted for the "Energy Efficiency Solution Award" category of the 2016 Ship Efficiency Awards.

ABB Monday announced that it has been shortlisted for the "Energy Efficiency Solution Award" category of the 2016 Ship Efficiency Awards for its work on Tycho Brahe and Aurora, which it says will be the "largest emission-free ferries in the world."

As Ship & Bunker reported in June, ABB said it would provide automated shore-side charging stations and complete battery power and propulsion systems to two HH Ferries Group (HH Ferries) vessels.

"We are delighted to be shortlisted for the Ship Efficiency Award. We are providing innovative turnkey solutions that will help HH Ferries run its operations efficiently while at the same time cutting the environmental impact of the vessels," said Marcus Högblom, Vice President of Global Sales, Passenger vessels and Azipod propulsion at ABB.

Operating on 100 percent battery power, the ferries are set to operate on an approximately 4 km between Helsingør, Denmark and Helsingborg, Sweden, expected to transport more than 7.4 million passengers and 1.8 million vehicles each year.

Preparatory work is said to have already begun on the two vessels, with construction of the project's automated shore-side charging arm also noted to be underway in Finland.

"We are very pleased that, together with ABB and in an innovative way, we have been able to create a new set up to retain our position as a highly efficient high capacity route," said Henrik Rørbæk, HH Ferries Group CEO.

"We invest responsibly in tomorrow’s technology solutions, leading towards a greener future to the benefit of our customers and the environment."

The SEK 300 million ($33.69 million) investment in the vessels is said to be co-financed, with SEK 120 million ($13.47 million) provided by INEA, the European Union's (EU's) executive agency for innovation and network.

As Ship & Bunker previously reported, ABB has said the solution is expected to lower total emissions across the fleet by more than 50 percent compared to current diesel-fueled vessels.