- The world's largest hybrid ship is due to set sail between the UK and France from 2024.
- Brittany Ferries has chartered two of three hybrid ships being made for StenaRoRo.
- The 11MWh battery is approximately double that used by other vessels, the firm said.
A vessel described as the world's largest hybrid ship will enter service in 2024, a ferry company has announced.
Brittany Ferries, which operates between the UK and France, has chartered two of three new hybrid vessels currently being constructed for Stoneware.
Equipped with a battery equivalent to 11 megawatt hours, the battery capacity is "approximately double" that used on other vessels, per the announcement made on the company website, and later reported by CNBC.
The first ferry, which goes under the name Saint Malo, is scheduled for delivery in 2024. It will sail between the UK port of Portsmouth and the French town that it is named after. The other as yet unnamed boat, which will sail between Portsmouth and French port Caan, will enter service "shortly after," per the announcement.
Similar to the technology used in hybrid cars, a hybrid system combines conventional fossil fuels like petroleum and diesel with electric power. The tech, while still polluting, is an important step towards the commercial adoption of fully electric vessels.
The ferries will further improve efficiency through the use of systems that enable them to better optimize energy while sailing. Overall, they will enable a 15% improvement in greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel, per the release.
"The extensive battery size will allow the vessels to operate with full power, using both propellers and all thrusters to maneuver emissions-free in and out of ports, even in bad weather," said Hakan Agnevall, CEO of Wärtsilä, the company that manufactures the batteries. Built-in power storage will enable the ship to charge batteries while berthed, Agnevall added.
Like other transport industries, globally shipping firms have been under pressure to reduce their carbon emissions and environmental impact in the face of the climate crisis. According to the International Energy Association, the global industry accounted for around 2% of energy-related carbon emissions in 2020.
Norwegian firm Hurtigen has already unveiled the world's first hybrid cruise ship, the MS Roald Amudsen. Its maiden voyage was to Antarctica in 2019.