The contract was awarded to ABB by Busan-based shipbuilder Haemin Heavy Industries to build the eco-friendly ferry. The deal's financial details were not disclosed.

The twin-hulled ferry represents the South Korean authorities' first contribution to a programme that will see 140 conventionally operated state-owned vessels replaced by those running on cleaner alternatives in line with environmental legislation by 2030.

Sustainable transport, including marine vessels, will play an important role in South Korea's Green New Deal strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, announced in 2020.

“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," said Juha Koskela, Division President, ABB Marine & Ports.

The 40-meter catamaran ferry, scheduled for delivery in 2022, will have the capacity to accommodate up to 100 passengers and five crew members and will operate between the ports of Busan North and South, taking approximately one hour to complete a return trip with an average operating speed of 13 knots.

The ferry will be tracked remotely and assisted by ABB experts once it is in service. Together with advanced data analytics provided by the ABB Ability Remote Diagnostics System, remote support and connectivity will further improve the operational safety of the vessel and ensure optimum efficiency while helping to identify and correct faults on board promptly.

Maritime Business World