Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) has recently classed a 100-passenger battery hybrid powered catamaran ferry, ‘Water Metro-01′, the first in a series of 23 such vessels being built by Cochin Shipyard (CSL).
The 24.8m ferry, designed for fast shore charging, is propelled by a hybrid electric propulsion system by means of Lithium Titanium Oxide (LTO) batteries and diesel gensets. The vessels will be able to run on the 112kWh of installed battery power, or in normal diesel electric mode, as well as hybrid mode, a combination of both gensets and batteries.
The vessel is owned by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) and is a part of a new Integrated Water Transport System for Kochi city. The vessels are expected to be operating on 15 identified routes connecting 41 jetties across 10 island communities, across a 76 km route network which includes a boatyard in Kochi. The project is a step forward in India’s self-reliant initiative of AtmaNirbhar Bharat and represents the collective efforts of CSL, KMRL and IRS.
IRS has developed Guidelines for battery powered vessels and the vessel was assigned with the notation ‘Battery Prop’, a notation which is assigned to vessels where the battery systems are used for ship propulsion and are in accordance with the requirements of the Guidelines.
With the growing trend in use of battery power for vessel propulsion/ auxiliaries; the experience gained through this project has helped IRS to develop a greater understanding of the challenges in use of battery systems for domestic ferries. IRS is now fully geared up to provide a holistic solution to industry on battery powered vessels both for new builds and retrofits.
Vijay Arora, IRS MD said: “IRS Plan Approval Centre and Surveyors at site have worked closely with Cochin Shipyard and other stakeholders in making this project a reality. IRS is actively working with the industry in developing technologies using renewable energy and alternate fuels in line with the IMO GHG Reduction Strategy.”
