Baltic Workboats' 'Ferry 22 Electric' has a highly compact electrical propulsion system. Photo: Baltic Workboats

Industry Database

Baltic Workboats AS

A compact electric propulsion system is the star feature of a new 23m long aluminium ferry from Baltic Workboats.

‘Ferry 22 Electric’ is fully electric and charged via automatic charger. Designed for the transport of 100 passengers, the model has a highly compact electrical propulsion system that is half the size of a conventional diesel-electric propulsion system, due to its smaller, highly efficient, and lightweight electrical motors, explained Baltic Workboats.

“The charging tower and pantograph are located on shore on a floating pontoon. The vessel is secured via fixed length mooring lines and small amount of thrust is kept on propulsion. For charging purposes the vessel position will be checked by an automation system,” stated the company.

Solar panels are installed in addition to hybrid hotel grid and general service batteries. The panels are connected to the operating system with a micro converter and provide sufficient energy for covering the whole energy need of the vessel except the propulsion system.

The propulsion system can also be run from the diesel genset. The generator is used to fully charge the batteries in the absence of shore power.

Ferry 30 Cat

Baltic Workboats has also introduced the ‘Ferry 30 Cat’ model. The aluminium catamaran ferry is 30m long and supplied with two independent propulsion units.

Power is transferred from Volvo Penta D13 main diesel engines trough ZF gearbox to shaft lines and FPP propellers. The propulsion configuration also allows to sail with only one engine in case of an emergency.

Solar panels are installed and come with a solar charger controller for optimum efficiency. The vessel is also equipped with a genset.

By Rebecca Jeffrey