Feature 1 | FERRIES Making new connections


Singapore’s Sembcorp Marine is taking its first steps into the ro-pax ferry sector with an innovative battery-powered, plug-in vessel concept


Each Norled plug-in ro-pax ferry will carry two 1,000kWh lithium-ion battery packs, enabling it to run in zero-emissions mode during normal operations


segment, is a natural progression for [us].” He adds: “LMG Marin has strong design-and-build capabilities for ferry and expedition ship design.” Not only this, but Tan believes that


Sembmarine’s background in offshore vessel design and construction could even grant


its consequent ro-pax


concept a distinct edge compared to conventional ferry types.


“With


our deep experience in the design, engineering


and construction of


offshore structures and specialised vessels that meet stringent offshore safety standards in Norway and the UK for operation in harsh environments, we are able to bring to ferry projects the same expertise that will enable the passenger ships to operate safely, reliably and efficiently,” he says.


S


embcorp Marine (Sembmarine) of Singapore is perhaps best known for its offshore projects,


which have seen the group produce and deliver semisubmersibles, floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) units and offshore structures for a wide range of international clients. Sembmarine is also well versed in performing engineering, repair and conversion jobs for these specialist assets: for example, the group’s Sembcorp Marine Rigs & Floaters division was recently commissioned to assist in overhauling Teekay Offshore’s 1998-built, 214m FPSO Petrojarl Varg. So, the landing of a design-and-


construction contract for three double- ended, battery-powered ro-pax ferries represents a notable departure for the firm. These zero-emission vessels have been ordered by Norwegian ferry operator Norled, which intends to use them to fulfil shortsea hops between Hella, Vangsnes and Dragsvik, and the trio will be built to design specs provided by Sembmarine subsidiary LMG Marin – a Norway-headquartered company which Sembmarine acquired in 2016.


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Transferring expertise Reflecting on this contract, Heng-Jack Tan, head of Sembcorp Marine’s Specialised Shipbuilding division, tells Ship & Boat International: “We see sizeable market potential for passenger vessels, including ro-pax ferries, with demand arising from fleet renewal and market growth. There is also a drive towards cleaner propulsion, which [we] can support with our comprehensive suite of green technology solutions.” And, from a practical point of view, diversification into different vessel sectors would also appear a prudent strategy given the downturn that’s plagued the offshore oil and gas business for the past four to five years. Although the ferry market is


somewhat new to Sembmarine, Tan doesn’t view it as an entirely alien sector.


“We’re particularly strong


in the cruise repair and upgrade segment,” he remarks. “Our Specialised Shipbuilding business also has a track record of designing and constructing various vessel types. Going into ferry construction,


particularly given the promising opportunities in this


Pure-electric journeys The three ferries will be built entirely at Sembmarine’s facilities. Each will


feature: an overall length of


approximately 82.4m; a maximum breadth of 16.8m (or 16.4m moulded); a hull depth of approximately 5m to the main deck; and a scantling draught of approximately 3.2m. In addition to carrying 300 persons


(including crew), each ro-pax will be able to transport 80 cars, or a combination of 10 trailer trucks and 10 cars, courtesy of a single vehicle deck with a length of approximately 80m. At this stage of the project, Sembmarine


was unable to disclose the identity of the manufacturer of the ferries’ battery packs. However, Tan confirms that each ferry will be fitted with a pair of 1,000kWh-rated, lithium-ion battery packs for propulsion. Norled will keep the batteries


topped up via shore-side hydroelectric recharging points dotted along the trio’s service route, thereby enabling low-noise, emissions-free journeys: the aforementioned prescribed power rating should prove sufficient to guarantee pure-electric sailings at a speed of


Ship & Boat International January/February 2019


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