EMEA News
Solar-Powered Electric Ferry Launched in Spain
Astilleros Gondán, S.A. (Astilleros Gondán) has announced that its Gondan Shipyard GRP Division has built an electric-propelled passenger ferry, the Rio Uso, which can also be powered by built-in solar panels during the day.
"With this new unit Gondan GRP Division manages to achieve the objective of designing and building an absolutely environmentally friendly vessel, in terms of emissions and environmental impact," stated Astilleros Gondán in the announcement.
Commissioned by the Province of Toledo, the ferry is said to be intended to take tourists across the Azután lake.
The 15 metre long vessel has a 60 passenger capacity, and is said to be capable of sailing at an average speed of 4 knots for continuous periods of 20 miles per day.
With a fibreglass hull and superstructure of aluminium and fibreglass, the ferry's "configuration is mono-hull, powered by two electric motors driving the shaft lines fitted with FP propellers," explained Astilleros Gondán.
In May, DNV GL announced that the 2015 Seatrade Award for clean shipping was awarded to the Norled owned and operated Ampere, the world's first fully electric driven vessel.
