Here in Estonia, two ferries that sail to the island Saaremaa (route Kuivastu-Virtsu, about 4 nautical miles so really short) …they typically charge in port and travel on battery power. They have a combustion engine of course, and can use it when ice is thick (which lately hasn’t been the case, and this year is ridiculous, it’s January soon and there even no snow, not to speak of sea ice).
The power grid connection at the port was redesigned of course. Charging a ship requires more amps than an ordinary port might have access to.
But how long is the Arran sea route? Sources give me different numbers and on the map, I can’t figure out which port they actually prefer to sail from. Either way, it looks manageable on battery power.
They are meant for the Ardrossan-Brodick service. However that would still make them among the largest battery powered ships in the world and the longest route. Ships like the Yara Birkeland have 13NM routes for daily service. However hybrid would be a great option.
For short routes, they are.
Here in Estonia, two ferries that sail to the island Saaremaa (route Kuivastu-Virtsu, about 4 nautical miles so really short) …they typically charge in port and travel on battery power. They have a combustion engine of course, and can use it when ice is thick (which lately hasn’t been the case, and this year is ridiculous, it’s January soon and there even no snow, not to speak of sea ice).
https://news.err.ee/1609198900/40-million-procurement-underway-for-larger-electric-vessel-to-serve-saaremaa
The power grid connection at the port was redesigned of course. Charging a ship requires more amps than an ordinary port might have access to.
But how long is the Arran sea route? Sources give me different numbers and on the map, I can’t figure out which port they actually prefer to sail from. Either way, it looks manageable on battery power.
They are meant for the Ardrossan-Brodick service. However that would still make them among the largest battery powered ships in the world and the longest route. Ships like the Yara Birkeland have 13NM routes for daily service. However hybrid would be a great option.