Demonstrating what is seen as a significant advance in South Korea’s strategy for maritime decarbonisation, Busan Port Authority (BPA) has officially launched the first state-owned all-electric ferry, with the end-to-end electric power and propulsion system supplied by ABB.
Built by Busan’s Kangnam Corporation, the new passenger ferry is the first realisation by South Korean authorities of their plan to replace 140 state-owned assets with ships running on cleaner energy sources by 2030, in line with environmental legislation. Sustainable ferries will play a significant role in South Korea’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, as set out in the country’s Green New Deal announced in 2020.
Woong-Ki Lee, Port Manager, Busan Port Authority, said: “This vessel demonstrates Busan Port Authority’s commitment to cleaner, smarter port operations. By introducing an all-electric ferry to serve our North–South Port connection, we are reducing local emissions and noise while providing a replicable model for future harbour craft. ABB’s integrated electric propulsion and energy storage system has given us the efficiency, safety, and reliability we need to deliver a better experience for passengers and a healthier environment for our city.”
ABB has provided its Onboard DC Grid power distribution system for optimal delivery of battery output to the vessel’s sub-systems, with ABB’s PEMS power and energy management system controlling overall power distribution, increasing fault tolerance, and providing reliability.
During operations, the ferry is remotely monitored and supported by ABB network of ABB Ability Collaborative Operations Centres. Remote support and connectivity, together with advanced data analytics enabled by the ABB Ability Remote Diagnostics System, are expected to further enhance the vessel’s operational safety and optimise performance while helping to promptly detect and correct faults on board.
Equipped with two 1,068 kWh battery packs for emissions-free operations, the vessel will take about 90 minutes to fully charge the battery using 500kW of power, which enables about two hours of operation. While the vessel is berthed, it is connected to the shore charging station via a stable optical communication link, allowing automatic control of charging and discharging from aboard.
Riccardo Repetto, Global Segment Manager, Short Distance Shipping, ABB Marine and Ports division, said: “The launch of this new passenger ferry is testament to both Busan Port Authority’s and South Korea’s decarbonisation ambitions and provides a blueprint in pursuit of increasing energy-efficiency and reducing emissions. The project also demonstrates the power of ABB’s Onboard DC Grid as an enabling platform for cleaner maritime operations. We are proud to have played an integral role in delivering South Korea’s first state-owned all-electric ferry.”
Image: South Korea’s first state-owned all-electric ferry powered by ABB (credit: Busan Port Authority)
