Norwegian shore power company Zinus has won a contract to supply its autonomous charging solution to what is believed to be the world’s first zero-emissions, lightweight ro-pax ferry.
The project is led by Incat Tasmania, and commissioned by South American customer Buquebús. The ferry will operate between Argentina and Uruguay, providing efficient and eco-friendly transportation services to as many as 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. Zinus will be supplying its autonomous charging solution, which includes the SWC200 Onboard Unit and ZPP800 Charging Tower Solution. This technology will allow the vessel to connect seamlessly to the shore and charge its batteries efficiently.
Zinus sales manager Ronny Olson said: “The significance of this project cannot be overstated. This ro-pax ferry represents a giant leap towards decarbonised maritime operations. We are thrilled to contribute our innovative charging solution to this groundbreaking initiative.”
The fully electric ferry has an overall length of 130m, making it the largest vessel of its kind. The battery modules and energy storage system on board will be four times larger than those on any other electric or hybrid ship currently in operation. Zinus’s autonomous charging solution is designed to handle this increased demand, with double the current output compared to previous systems. The output capacity for this project is 16,000A DC / 8,000A AC, ensuring efficient and rapid charging.
With Zinus’s charging solution, the ro-pax ferry will operate with zero emissions, making it a flagship example of sustainable maritime transportation. Zinus says it is honoured to be part of this initiative and remains committed to delivering innovative, efficient, and environmentally friendly solutions for an electrified world and a more sustainable future.
