Schottel propels Norled to greener future

The vessels, currently under construction at Sembcorp Marine in Singapore, will be driven by a battery/diesel electric hybrid system and will be operated during their transits by green battery power. Schottel has provided a customised solution and further expanded its position in the Norwegian ferry market.

The main propulsion for the LMG 80-DEH design ferries consists of PM motor driven Schottel EcoPellers type SRE 340 with 2.1m diameter fixed pitch propellers. With these thrusters an economical operation of the vessels at a service speed of 10 knots and a free running speed of 12.5 knots is achieved. Beyond this, the propulsion units are designed to provide full thrust in the desired direction even with strong side winds.

Schottel EcoPellers have a power range from 500 to 5,000kW and are developed primarily for open seas and coastal operating conditions. In operating mode, power is supplied by two battery packs installed on board which are recharged during the eleven-minute quayside stays.

The trio is tailored for Norled’s shortsea Hella-Vangsnes-Dragsvik connections in Norway. Each of the new 84.2m vessels will be able to accommodate up to 300 passengers and crew members and will be capable of carrying 80 cars or a combination of ten cars and ten trailer trucks.

Deliveries of the ferries are scheduled to take place in the last quarter of 2020.