According to reports, the latest 50-meter ferry is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 800 tons per year, dramatically improving air quality in Portland, Maine. Exhaust emissions, unnecessary engine noise, and vibration, all of which are normal on current vessels, will be minimized.

The newbuild will use ABB Marine & Ports' hybrid fuel, propulsion, and shore charging system, which can run in diesel-electric, zero-emissions battery-powered, or a combination of both modes.

The ferry project has been partly financed by federal and state grants, with a 15-vehicle and 599-passenger capacity vessel to replace an existing diesel-powered ferry for the Portland–Peaks Island service along the coast of Maine, in line with US governmental commitments to reduce the environmental effects of public service transit systems nationwide.

ABB will deliver the Onboard DC Grid power distribution system, which will provide full control over when and how the vessel uses its diesel generators, the 904-kWh battery energy storage system, or a combination of the two to maximize energy usage at any load, as part of its integration, engineering, automation, and equipment supply functions.

The incorporation of the ABB Ability Remote Diagnostics System in the vessel will help smooth operation, remote control, and predictive maintenance, according to ABB.

According to the Maritime Battery Forum, there are over 130 battery-powered ferries in service and more than 90 on order, suggesting that hybrid and electric solutions for ferries are on the rise.

Maritime Business World