Battery-Powered Ferry "A Step into the Future," Says Turkish Shipyard

Norwegian ferry operator Fjord1 says two battery-powered ferries will be built at Turkey's Tersan Shipyard.

Norwegian ferry operator Fjord1 Nordvestlandske (Fjord1) Monday announced that Turkey's Tersan Tersanecilik San. Tic. A.Ş. (Tersan Shipyard) will be building two battery-powered ferries - said to be "a step toward the future."

The vessels are set to operate on the E39 Anda – Lote route on the west coast of Norway, the first ferry connection in Norway where the country's Road Administration requires the use of zero-emission technology.

Fjord1 says that, while the administration has granted permission for the vessels' hybrid operation, which will see biodiesel or biogas used on one of the ferries, Fjord1 intends to utilise full electric operation on both ferries.

"Innovative solutions, experience and price have been important factors for Fjord1 in our choice of partners. Together we shall take a step into the future with this project," said Andrè Høyset, Acting Managing Director in Fjord1.

"Fjord1 is proud to be able to tie together the two sides of Nordfjord with battery ferries which have been designed and developed in the region."

The vessels' batteries will be charged by automatic quayside charging stations, which Fjord1 says will provide enough power to enable operations for several hours without charging.

"These battery powered ferry projects will be pioneering the Norwegian environmental friendly public transportation policy and Tersan Shipyard is very proud to be involved in these future ferries," said Nurettin Paksu, Chairman of the Board at Tersan Shipyard.

The ships were designed by Norway-based Multi maritime A/S (Multi Maritime) in close cooperation with Fjord1, explains the ferry operator.

With a cargo capacity of 120 cars, 12 trailers, and 349 passengers, the ferries are said to be slated to operate on the E39 Anda – Lote route from January 1, 2018 to 2027.

Construction will take begin at Tersan Shipyard in Turkey in October of this year, notes Fjord1.

Last year, Ship & Bunker reported that Rolls-Royce would be supplying azimuth propulsion systems for installation into three double-ended ferries for Bastø-Fosen and a further two for Fjord1.