Volvo Penta gensets power Swedish ferry

The 100m Tellus ferry operates the busy 1.8km-wide Gullmarsleden waterway between Uddevalla and Lysekil. Commissioned by the Swedish Transport Administration and built by Estonian company, Baltic Workboats Shipyard, the ferry carries cars and trucks and has space for 300 passengers.

Tõnu Kirs, managing partner at BMG Power Systems said that Volvo Penta’s engines were the perfect match for this project. “Not only are they powerful and reliable but the servicing network is outstanding, especially in Sweden,” he said.

“When it comes to public transport you can not risk long periods of downtime. The customer wants to be reassured– in the unlikely case – that something goes wrong that it can be sorted quickly and efficiently and with Volvo Penta, that’s guaranteed.”

The ferry has two electric-driven POD propulsion units, one at either end of the vessel, which are powered either from the batteries or from four Volvo Penta D16 MH engines. These engines drive synchronous reluctance assisted permanent magnet (SRPM) technology generators and can be driven individually or all four in parallel to optimise fuel consumption and emissions. For the majority of journeys only one engine will be required; the other are precautionary, necessary only during tough weather or sea-ice conditions.

The batteries – 12 Corvus battery-racks with a total capacity of 949 kWh – are being charged via an onshore charging station and can also be charged by the Volvo Penta D16 engines while in operation. The ferry can currently complete three trips in full electric mode before the gensets are needed to take over.