Visedo replaces Siemens in e-ferry project

Visedo has replaced Siemens as a partner in the project, which aims to introduce the vehicle and passenger ferry into service in June 2017 between the island of Ærø and the Danish mainland. The base concept will have capacity for 25 PCU and up to 147 passengers, and could be extended to carry 36 PCU if traffic demands.

Under a strategic cooperation with Swiss battery manufacturer Leclanché, Visedo will provide a 4.2MW/h lithium-ion battery system, with the battery management system developed in-house by Visedo. The silent electric propulsion system from Visedo is expected to reduce the emitted noise level compared to diesel engine operation. Wake waves behind the ferry will be reduced by 60-70% and the vessel will be able to navigate EU Natura nature protection areas.

Lighter materials and equipment will offset the weight of the 50-tonne battery pack, and will contribute to reductions in CO2 emissions of 2,000 tonnes and NOx emissions of 41,500 kg per year. The E-ferry design is also claimed to be safer and its drive train more redundant than those of existing ferries.

Dr Kimmo Rauma, CEO of Visedo, said: “This new contract, along with several recently won marine projects, like the Damen Eco-Liner project in The Netherlands, gives further validation of Visedo’s strong execution of its business plan. Thanks to our technology allowing the most efficient and compact systems available, Visedo is winning ground-breaking projects in the marine market.”

Martti Ukkonen, executive vice president of mobile storage systems at Leclanché, added: “This project is a break-through in the recently introduced mobile storage business. The novel combination of a lithium-ion battery and an electric drive train provided by Leclanché and Visedo has proven to be a true asset to mobile systems.”

The total budget for the ‘Green Ferry Vision’ project is €21 million, supported by funding from the EU’s Horizon 2020 initiative. Project partners include the Municipality of Aeroe, Søby Shipyard, Tuco Marine, Jens Kristensen Consulting Naval Architects, DNV GL, Interferry, the Danish Maritime Authorithy, the Hellenic Institute of Transport and the Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology.