Technology from our cluster partners Servogear, Westcon Power & Automation and Zem will ensure tourists on board the fully electric vesssel «Future of the Fjords» gets an emission free and close to soundless experience of the scenic Nærøyfjorden.
In connection with this year’s Nor-Shipping exhibition in Oslo ship owner The Fjords announced the building of the fully electric passenger catamaran «Future of the Fjords». Three of the cluster partner in NCE Maritime CleanTech are involved in the project; Servogear, Westcon Power & Automation and Zem.
«Future of the Fjords» will be the world’s first fully electric passenger catamaran built in carbon. The 42 meter long vessel will transport up to 400 tourists in the Norwegian fjords between Flåm and Gudvangen, which is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Cluster partners taking the lead
For the vessel Westcon Power & Automation will deliver a complete electrical & automation system including electrical motors, energy management system, power conversion and manouevring control systems, an integrated automation solution, main switchboards and the batteries supplied by Zem. The electrical motors will be driving a highly efficient controllable-pitch propeller system supplied by Servogear.
– Once again our cluster partners takes the lead in delivering environmentally friendly technologies to “first of its kind” vessels. Shorter routes like these are very well suited for full electric propulsion, and this project is yet another example that both the technology and the competences is readily available, says CEO in NCE Maritime CleanTech, Hege Økland.
Emission-free “Future of the Fjords” is the sister vessel of the hybrid vessel «Vision of the Fjords», which was inducted into service in 2016. The new vessel is designed by, and currently under construction with, Brødrene Aa in Hyen, Norway. The shipbuilding programme is being funded by The Fjords, while Enova, owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, also sourced $2.1m (NOK 17.8m) to support the construction of the vessel.
Advanced solution for shore charging
Westcon Power & Automation will also supply the battery charging stations in Flåm and Gudvangen. These will be based on a new innovative solution designed for this project.
The advanced charging station will be capable of charging the batteries with approximately 800kWh of power during the 20min docking period. The propulsion system will enable the vessel to sail at a cruise speed of 16kt.