First zero-emissions ferry for South Korea

ABB has secured a contract with Busan-based shipyard Haemin Heavy Industries to provide a complete electric power and propulsion solution for the 40m long twin-hulled ferry, which is due for delivery in 2022. The ferry represents the first commitment to a plan by South Korean authorities that will see 140 state-owned conventionally powered vessels replaced with those operating on cleaner alternatives by 2030.

“We are truly proud to have been chosen as technology supplier for the first vessel in South Korea’s clean fleet renewal scheme,” said Juha Koskela, division resident, ABB Marine & Ports. “Our agreement with Haemin represents a major advance in the local market, supporting South Korea’s plans for sustainable shipping, as part of our strategy for reducing global vessel emissions.

The catamaran ferry will operate with an average speed of 13 knots between Busan’s North and South ports. It will be powered by two 1,068-kWh battery packs. The batteries will provide enough power for the ferry to complete up to four return journeys before charging from shore during the vessel’s overnight stops.

ABB’s Onboard DC Grid power distribution system will ensure that the battery output is delivered to the vessel’s subsystems in the most optimal way, while ABB’s Power and Energy Management System (PEMS) will control the overall power distribution, increase fault tolerance and provide a high degree of reliability.

Last year, ABB secured a contract to install the Port of Incheon’s first shore-to-ship power solution.