Shore power added to autonomous zero-emission ferry crossing

The Motorship covered the propulsion systems used by the ferries on this crossing recently here and has now learned NES will supply two complete containerised onshore charging stations, including transformers, switchboards, control system and data collection system, plus the charging plug that connects the charging stations to the vessels.

“Fjord1 is very pleased to enter this agreement with Norwegian Electric Systems for delivery of the charging stations to the Lavik-Oppedal ferry crossing. This partnership represents one of many important steps towards more environmentally friendly ferry operations. We have received similar deliveries in the past and are very satisfied with the cooperation we have with NES,” says Odd Bjarte Johnsen, Fjord1’s project manager.

Delivery of the onshore charging stations is scheduled for 2026. NES, a subsidiary of HAV Group ASA, will manage the project out of its headquarters in Bergen, Norway. The company has not disclosed the value of the contract.

“We have delivered multiple onshore charging stations in the past, so this is highly familiar territory for NES. That said, these charging stations will be further developed to meet the autonomous operations from the ferries, where also they will have some autonomous functions,” says Siv Remøy-Vangen, managing director at NES.

This contract is the third Norwegian Electric Systems has received for Lavik-Oppedal ferries, the first being awarded in March by shipbuilder Tersan shipyard.