Wärtsilä, Cavotec to Develop First Wireless Marine Charging System

The system aims to eliminate both mooring lines and charging cables.

Wärtsilä and Cavotec, manufacturers of power and connection systems, Tuesday announced they will jointly develop the world's first wireless marine charging system and vacuum-based mooring unit.

Wärtsilä will develop the induction-based power system; Cavotec will provide an automated vacuum-based mooring system that will utilize remote-controlled vacuum pads mounted quayside to moor and release vessels in seconds.

"During recent years, wireless charging has been introduced for cars, busses and trains. Wärtsilä has now made this possible also for marine vessels," says Peter Rogers, Director Power Products, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.

"This agreement with Cavotec will enable this technology to be delivered as an integrated charging and mooring system." 

While the new system is still in the concept stage, a press release claims the new system will make connections and disconnections safer.

The system will eliminate the heavy power cables used to power moored vessels; this will reduce wear and tear from maintenance and damage to electrical outlets from seawater, snow, and ice.

The new system would be capable of transferring more than 1 MW of electrical energy, 300 times more than chargers used by electric cars.

Wärtsilä designers developed the hybrid battery system as a way of meeting the environmental challenges and reducing  "major reductions in harmful exhaust emissions."

Wärtsilä notes it has launched an innovative ferry concept featuring wireless induction battery charging.

This past April Ship & Bunker reported that Wärtsilä announced a new pump for liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels.