Imtech: Hybrid Propulsion System for Ferries
Imtech Marine won a contract to supply the hybrid propulsion system, consisting of diesel electric in combination with battery technology to the world’s first diesel electric, hybrid seagoing ferries. Owned by Scottish company Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), the two vehicle and passenger RoRo ferries will be built by Ferguson Shipbuilders of Glasgow. The vessels will be powered by diesel generator sets, feeding power to a 400 Volt switchboard, which will supply power to permanent magnet propulsion motors.
RoPax Propulsion Concept Proves Efficient
Wärtsilä, in conjunction with the Finnish research project SEATECH 2000+, has been developing some new machinery solutions for RoPax vessels. A promising concept is a semi-diesel electric machinery, where mechanical propulsion is combined with a diesel electric power plant. This new RoPax concept was presented for the first time at the Europort 2001 exhibition. The RoPax vessel has a semi-diesel electric machinery featuring a diesel mechanical part driving a conventional CP propeller and a diesel electric power plant powering a contra rotating electric pod and the entire hotel load of the ship. The machinery features Wärtsilä EnviroEngines equipped with Common Rail and compact SCR units.
