ABB is powering Korea's first domestic zero-emission ferry

ABB has signed a contract with Haimin Heavy Industries Shipyard to provide complete power and propulsion solutions for the Busan Port Authority's first all-electric passenger vessel

The new ferry is the first commitment by Korea authorities to a plan to replace 140 state-owned conventionally powered ships with cleaner alternative-powered vessels by 2030, in line with environmental legislation. Korea's Green New Deal, announced in 2020, lays out a plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and sustainable transportation, including ships, will play an important role in Korea's plan.

ABB is powering Korea's first domestic zero-emission ferry

ABB has signed a contract with Haimin Heavy Industries Shipyard to provide complete power and propulsion solutions for the Busan Port Authority's first all-electric passenger vessel

As the first system integrator selected to support the program, ABB will provide end-to-end power and propulsion solutions for the double-hull ferry, which will be delivered in 2022. The 40-metre catamaran ferry, which will have enough capacity to carry up to 100 passengers and 5 crew members, will operate between Busan's north-south ports and will take about an hour to complete the return journey, operating at an average speed of 13 knots (24 km/h). Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.

Haemin, a Busan shipbuilder that focuses on lightweight, environmentally friendly vessels, has also signed an agreement with ABB to further develop marine projects in the future.

"We are very proud to have been selected as the technology supplier for the first vessel in Korea's Clean Fleet Renewal Program," said Juha Koskela, President of ABB's Marine & Ports Division. "Our agreement with Haemin represents a significant step forward for the local market, supporting Korea's sustainable shipping initiatives as part of our strategy to reduce emissions from ships around the world. Sustainability is a key part of the value we create for all our stakeholders, and this new partnership with Haemin is an example of how we can achieve a low-carbon society and help conserve resources. ”

"It is a great honor to be commissioned to build the first all-electric boat for the Korea market," said Hyeong-seok Oh, CEO of Haemin Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. "We look forward to working with ABB, where ABB technology and its long-term presence in Korea are key parts of this landmark project."

The ferry will be powered by two 1,068 kWh battery packs, which will provide clean and flexible energy for the ferry's journey. The batteries will provide enough power for the ferry to complete up to four return trips before the boat can be recharged from shore during an overnight dock. ABB's Onboard DC Grid™ power distribution system will ensure that the battery output is optimally delivered to the vessel's subsystems, while ABB's Power and Energy Management System (PEMS™) will control the overall power distribution, improve fault tolerance and provide a high degree of reliability.

Once operational, the ferry will be remotely monitored and supported by experts from ABB's global network of ABB Ability™ Collaborative Operations Centers. Remote support and connectivity, as well as advanced data analytics powered by the ABB Ability™ remote diagnostic system, will further enhance the vessel's operational safety and ensure optimal performance, while helping to detect and correct faults on board in a timely manner.

According to trade association Interferry, the global ferry industry is responsible for transporting more than 2 billion passengers annually and is therefore under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint. ABB's electric propulsion technology will mean that the Busan Port Authority's new ferry will immediately meet the International Maritime Organization's global goal of reducing annual emissions by at least 50% by 2050 from 2008 levels.

Electrification is widely recognized as one of the key solutions to reduce global ferry emissions. According to the Maritime Battery Forum, there are currently more than 130 battery-powered ferries in operation, of which more than 90 have been ordered. ABB is leading the way in the electrification of ferries, supporting leading ferry operators such as P&O Ferries, Washington State Ferries and others for sustainable operations.

ABB is powering Korea's first domestic zero-emission ferry

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