Shore power action urged

Interferry will be focusing on the transition to fully electric or hybrid power when it hosts its 46th annual conference at Seattle, US in October.

The association began worldwide lobbying for the take-up of onshore power supply (OPS) in May. A joint programme to promote the provision and use of OPS was agreed with the European Sea Ports Organisation, and backing from other like-minded partners is set to follow.

“We must drive support for the technologies and facilities that are crucial to reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Interferry chief executive Mike Corrigan.

Power topics will take centre stage on day two of the conference with sessions devoted to:

• Making OPS a reality – covering connection and charging, ensuring a sustainable transition through industry and government collaboration, design and planning and leading port initiatives.
• Fuelling the future – featuring  a comparison of the emissions-free power options, including hydrogen fuel cells and carbon capture.
• Propelling efficiency – explaining how optimising propulsion systems can minimise costly and payload-reducing onboard energy storage requirements.
• Batteries leading the charge – examining  fixed and exchangeable onboard energy storage, including a pay-as-you-go swappable battery e-Pod proposition.
• Six vessel project presentations – highlighting electric fast foil ferries, the first US-certified hydrogen fuel cell powered passenger vessel, Sweden’s first large-scale project for a hydrogen powered RoPax and input from Canada and Finland on major green ferry developments.