shipping The Ampere is the world’s first electrical, zero emission car ferry
An Electric Milestone
By Shirley Del Valle, Managing Editor
Ferry operators look to alternative methods, such as batteries, cable-operation, and of course, LNG, for a more efficient operation
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iquified Natural Gas (LNG) has emerged as the go-to alternative fuel for many operators in Europe seeking to reduce fuel emissions and save on operating costs. One of the earliest proponents for LNG was Norway. In 2000, Norway-based Fjord1 launched the ferry Glutra, the world’s first LNG fueled ferry. Fifteen years later, Norway is again leading the innovative charge, this time with the debut of the world’s first electrical, zero emission car ferry, the Ampere. The Ampere is among the nominees for the Energy Efficiency Award at this month’s Nor-Shipping 2015 show—the award recognizes a vessel that has “the greatest contribution towards energy efficiency in relation to its function or operation.” The ferry is no stranger to accolades, having won the prestigious “Ship of the Year” industry award at SMM 2014. The Ampere, an 80 m long x 21 m wide, passenger/car ferry, is owned and operated by Norway’s Norled. The ferry is the culmination of a collaborative effort between Siemens, Norled, and Fjellstrand Shipyard in Norway. It has a capacity for 350 passengers and 120 cars. The ferry was “developed from the ground up,” according to Siemens, enabling the group of companies to design and build a unique vessel for the region. The three entities joined forces in 2011 when Norway’s Ministry of Transport and Communications launched a competition to find an environmentally friendly vessel to operate on the Lavik to
22 MARINE LOG June 2015
Oppedal route in Norway, with the winner of the competition winning a 10-year contract to service the route. The innovative vessel is meant to be as environmentally friendly as possible, from the inside out. Constructed from light-weight aluminum, the Ampere weighs just half of what a conventional ferry would weigh. It will have a service life double that of a steel hull, requiring fewer drydock periods and lowering the vessel’s maintenance costs. The Ampere is also equipped with LED lighting, high efficiency thrusters with feathering propellers from Rolls-Royce, and a HVAC system with extensive heat recovery. The vessel is without any fuel tanks or engines, deriving power from its batteries. The use of batteries enables Norled to reduce the cost of fuel by up to 60 percent—and will help save about one million liters of fuel annually. The ferry, classed by DNV-GL as 1A1 –LC R4(nor), CF, C, BP, IOPP-A, “demonstrate(s) how the industry can use existing technologies to improve its impact on the environment, while at the same time maintaining economic operations,” says Narv Mjos, Director Battery Services & Projects at DNV GL-Maritime.
It’s all in the battery While Ampere’s lightweight construction and green features give it an innovative edge, its real power comes from its propulsion system and battery pack, which help the vessel produce zero emissions. “We are proud to operate the world’s first electric ferry,” says