Stena begins first battery-powered ferry project

The deal between Stena and Callenberg will see the batteries installed on combined passenger and freight ferry Stena Jutlandica, which operates between the Port of Gothenburg, Sweden and Port of Frederikshavn, Denmark. If the project is successful, other vessels in the Stena Line fleet of 38 vessels could be battery operated in future.

Stena Line’s CEO Niclas Mårtensson, said: “As both the size and cost of batteries decrease, battery operation becomes a very exciting alternative to traditional fuels for shipping, as emissions to air can be completely eliminated.”

Three-stage development

The technology is based on plug-in hybrid technology. The batteries are charged when the ship is connected to shore power, but can also be charged while operating the ship’s generators.

The first stage of the battery project, to begin immediately, will involve switching on 1MWh capacity batteries for bow thrusters and maneuvering when berthing in port.

In step two, batteries with 20MWh capacity are connected to the propellers, meaning Stena Jutlandica can be operated on electricity within around 10 nautical miles.

Battery capacity is about 50MWh in step three, enabling a vessel to operate around 50 nautical miles, the distance between Gothenburg and Frederikshavn.

The technical solutions are being developed with Stena Teknik and the first phase is being supported and partly financed by the Swedish Maritime Administration and the EU.