New Hybrids for Kiel Fiord Service
The first of a new generation of plug-in hybrid ferries for Kiel has been ordered, writes Tom Todd.
The 32m long and 8m wide Gaarden, for 250 passengers and costing €3.9 million, will be a mono-hull ferry, possibly with a bulbous bow, and draw a maximum of 2.4m. It is being built for delivery early 2020 by Holland Shipyards, which boasts experience in hybrid newbuilding and was one of eleven German and European yards which tendered for the job.
The order comes after two years of planning and research into eco-ship operation by Kiel authorities and the city-owned Tug and Ferry Company (SFK). The delivery of Gaarden will mark the start of what is described as a long-overdue €16 million re-generation of the port city’s passenger fleet.
That fleet currently consists of five passenger ships, four tugs, two combi ships and two pontoon barges. Officials say four diesel-driven ferries from the 1980s are technologically and environmentally obsolete and will be replaced. Lord Mayor Ulf Kämpfer is on record as saying clean air and climate protection are the priorities for Kiel.
Along with the fixed order for Gaarden, the city has secured options with Holland Shipyards, as yet unconverted, for three more hybrid replacement newbuilds for delivery in 2022, 2024 and 2026. Even further new ferries and also tugs are reportedly planned after that.
Ansgar Stalder, SFK Fleet Manager, told Maritime Journal Gaarden will be propelled by two fixed propellers driven by electric motors and have a minimum speed of 11 knots. Power will come either from two generators fed by synthetic GTL fuel or from a 273kW battery pack charged overnight using a conventional power plug.
During operation a management system allocates generated power to electric motors or batteries. When required, generators can be turned off and the ferry driven entirely by emission-free battery power, Stalder reported. He added however that it was still too early for specific equipment details.
SFK studied and rejected methanol and LNG propulsion before ordering the hybrid Gaarden. Stalder was quoted as saying that LNG propulsion was not feasible for ships below 50m in length and that LNG and Methanol also required too much technology to operate safely.
