TS Laevad to convert ferry to battery hybrid

Estonian ferry operator TS Laevad is converting one of its ferries into a battery hybrid – and if successful the technology will be applied on the operator’s four new ships

The subsidiary of Tallinna Sadam signed the agreement with the Estonian shipbuilding company Baltic Workboats to rebuild the ferry Tõll, which operates the on the Virtsu-Kuivastu line, into an environmentally friendly hybrid ship. During reconstruction, a battery bank will be installed on the vessel to reduce diesel fuel consumption and exhaust gas by replacing fossil fuel with electricity stored in battery banks.

TS Laevad chairman of the board Jaak Kaabel said TS Laevad expects to replace about a fifth of the diesel fuel consumption with electricity. “We believe that on shorter ferry routes the environmentally friendly ships are the future of ferry traffic, both in Estonia and elsewhere, especially considering the global climate targets for reducing CO2 emissions. If the project is successful, the technology will be deployed on all four new ships,” said Mr Kaabel.

The construction works will be carried out by the main contractor Baltic Workboats, the battery banks supplied by Corvus Energy, the automation equipment supplied by Norwegian Electric Systems and the peak-shaving hybrid solution is designed by LMG Marin.

The reconstruction works will start in mid-October this year, mainly during the ship’s voyages. The ship will be offline for up to two weeks for the final transfer to battery power. According to the agreement, Tõll will run using the battery banks by 29 February 2020.