Wasaline RoPax to have WE Tech hybrid propulsion solution

Written by Nick Blenkey
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Scheduled for delivery in May 2021, the 800-passenger Ice Class 1A super ferry will have a freight capacity of 1,500 lane-meters for trucks on two cargo decks

Vaasa, Finland, headquartered WE Tech Solutions Oy (WE Tech) is to deliver an advanced hybrid electric propulsion solution for the Wasaline RoPax ferry on order at shipbuilder Rauma Marine Construction Oy (see earlier story).

The WE Tech scope of supply includes propulsion drives, energy storage system (battery banks and DCDC converters), main propulsion switchboards, shore connection switchgears, energy management system and the propulsion control system.

Scheduled for delivery in May 2021, the 800-passenger Ice Class 1A super ferry will have a freight capacity of 1,500 lane-meters for trucks on two cargo decks and will be operating daily in the Gulf of Bothnia between the city of Vaasa in Finland and city of Umeå in Sweden.

The hybrid propulsion solution combines dual fuel (LNG/biogas and diesel/SCR) machinery and batteries, connected to azimuth thrusters/pods.

The vessel will be equipped with four generators that supply energy for propulsion and electrical power demand in normal sailing mode. A zero emission sailing mode utilizes battery banks only for vessel’s propulsion and electrical power demand and is initiated in harbor maneuvering mode. While stationary in the harbor, the vessel’s electrical system and re-charging of the energy storage system will be supplied by the high-power shore connection.

The energy storage system (ESS) which is connected to the common DC-link of the main propulsion drives provides power for peak-shaving and back-up functionality, and as a single supply when in zero emission sailing mode.

WE Tech will deliver the dedicated power and energy management system (DPMS) to control the energy flow and different operation modes as well as interface with the vessel’s automation system. Also, as the vessel’s bow thrusters are fed via dedicated inverters connected to the common DC-link.

“It is an honor for WE Tech to develop and deliver the most energy efficient and reliable solution for a vessel that is built at a Finnish shipyard in close vicinity to Vaasa, and that the vessel will operate from Vaasa, which also is our home town,” says Mårten Storbacka, Managing Director of WE Tech Solutions. “Our tailored solution will help Wasaline to create substantial savings as well as reduce their carbon footprint.”

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