Modular Zero-Emission Fast Ferries in Smart-Cities

This paper gives an inside into the experiences gained by designing and implementing the world’s first battery powered fast ferry in the city of Stavanger. One major challenge for cities is becoming more sustainable and therefore attractive for its inhabitants in the long term. Decarbonizing the transport sector with a variety of zero-emission public transport systems is one key element that can be directly influenced by responsible city planners. While tramways were electrified from the beginning, alternatives to combustion engine powered buses are now rapidly gaining a significant market share. For waterways, which are a relevant type of transportation for a large share of humanity, zero-emission alternatives were hardly available yet. However, stricter regulations of emissions are coming for the transport sector in general as well as specifically for the water-based transportation. Companies are therefore forced to rapidly exchange conventional ferries for zero-emission solutions. During the EU Horizon 2020 funded project TrAM – Transport Advanced and Modular the world’s first fully battery powered high-speed passenger ferry was modular designed, built and evaluated. The results show extensive influences on the complete ecosystem of the city and the need for digital processes in many parts to become competitive with zero-emission alternatives in the long therm. For a successful transformation the prerequisites of the existing city infrastructure need to be considered as well as technical limitations of battery powered ferries.