Valmet to Supply Automation to "Game-Changing" Electric Ferry Concept

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Tuesday October 4, 2016

Valmet Oyj (Valmet) Monday announced that it will supply automation and remote control technology for what it calls a "game-changing," electric ferry concept, the E-ferry, in the second quarter of 2017.

Compared to similar-sized diesel-powered ferry, the 100 percent electric-powered vessel is expected to be able to deliver an annual CO2 emissions savings of about 2,000 tonnes and a NOx emissions savings of 41.5 tonnes.

Further, with a 4.2 MWh battery system, the vessel is said to offer the highest capacity of any electric ferry to date.

The order for Valmet's automation and remote control technology is said to have been made by Visedo Oy (Visedo), which is responsible for supplying the E-ferry's electric propulsion system.

"Valmet's solution is technically excellent, and the company was able to present strong references. The technology is a good complement to Visedo's drive train system in the E-ferry," said Hanna Huppunen, Director of Service at Visedo.

The E-ferry project, which has received funding from the European Union's (EU's) Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, is noted to include the design, building, and demonstration of a fully electric-powered "green" ferry, in order to promote energy-efficient waterborne transportation for island communities, coastal zones and inland waterways, that produces no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution.

"Valmet's goal is to continuously develop advanced automation solutions. These kinds of innovative and environmentally friendly projects motivate us to challenge ourselves in this work. Our system provides the ships with high reliability and availability, as well as efficient and safe operation," said John Weierud, Director of Marine Automation at Valmet.

The first E-ferry is slated to operate in the Baltic Sea, running between the island of Aeroe and the Danish mainland.

While the value of the order from Valmet was not disclosed, the company notes that the cost automation system deliveries typically range between under €1 million ($1.12 million) to €3 million ($3.37 million). 

In February, Valmet announced it would supply exhaust gas scrubber systems (EGCS) for two new cruise vessels, Mein Schiff 7 and Mein Schiff 8.