EMEA News
Imtech Marine to Deliver Systems for CMAL's Third Hybrid Ferry
Imtech Marine has announced that it has been contracted to supply the electric and hybrid propulsion system for a third hybrid ferry of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) of Scotland.
Imtech Marine received the order from Ferguson Marine, the Glasgow-based yard which built the first two CMAL diesel electric, hybrid seagoing ferries.
The company is scheduled to deliver its hybrid system by December this year, and the vessel is scheduled to be completed in April 2016.
In addition to the diesel-electric and Li-Ion battery hybrid propulsion system, the third CMAL vessel will also have remote control monitoring allowing CMAL to track fuel usage in real time.
The first CMAL hybrid ferry was said to have achieved fuel savings of 38 percent.
Mischa Kyanin of Imtech Marine said, "Originally we estimated the propulsion system would result in savings around the 20% level but this result of 38% exceeded all expectations. We are proud of the system's proven performance."
Imtech Marine reports that its batteries are able to harness local wind energy for "shore-charged energy" for 28 percent of the overall savings.
Its Energy Management System (EMS) "smart load control" technology is claimed to achieve savings of 10% by preventing a second generator from starting up during the working day and by controlling load sharing between the diesel generator and the batteries.
CMAL's first two hybrid ferries, the MV Hallaig and MV Lochinvar, are operating between the Isle of Skye and Raasay, and between Tarbert (Loch Fyne) and Portavadie respectively, according to Kyanin.
A few months ago, the European Union announced that it will fund the conversion of two ferries to hybrid ferries, a project expected to be completed by the end of this year.
