Hybrid ferries to be built in Scotland
UK cabinet secretary for infrastructure and capital investment Alex Neil has recently confirmed Clyde-based Ferguson Shipbuilders as the preferred bidder to build a world's first in environmentally friendly ferries.
The deal, said to be worth over £20 million, was awarded to Ferguson following a competitive tender process against strong foreign competition. The contract covers construction of two sea-going ro-ro passenger and vehicle diesel electric and battery powered hybrid ferries. Each ferry will accommodate 150 passengers and 23 cars or two HGVs, with a service speed of 9 knots. The vessels will be powered by small diesel generator sets, feeding power to a 400V switchboard, which will supply power to electric propulsion motors. In addition the battery banks will provide power to operate the vessel.
The ferries, which will be operated by the current operator of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services, CalMac Ferries, are designed for use on many of the short crossing routes around the Clyde and Hebrides and will use innovative 'green' technology, including battery banks supplying a minimum of 20% of the energy consumed on board.
Claimed benefits of the hybrid technology include reduced fuel consumption and impact of CO2 emission and other pollutants, noise reduction and lower maintenance requirements. The ferries will charge overnight while they are moored on the islands they will serve. It is anticipated future energy from local wind, wave or solar systems will be used to charge the batteries, reducing further the carbon footprint.
The first of the two new vessels is expected to be operational on the Sconser-Raasay route on Skye by the middle of 2013, with the second vessel coming into operation later the same year. Ferguson will be working alongside Glasgow-based ship design specialists Seatec and electrical specialists Tec-Source to deliver the project.
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) owns the ferries, ports and harbours and infrastructure necessary for vital ferry services serving the West coast of Scotland and the Clyde Estuary. CMAL iswholly owned by Scottish Ministers. The Scottish Government is providing CMAL with a loan of £20 million for the procurement of these vessels.
The cabinet secretary said: "I'm delighted to announce Ferguson Shipbuilders as the preferred bidder to build the world's first of its kind in hybrid ferries in a contract worth more than £20million. This award is a perfect illustration of how we are making good on our commitment to create the vital jobs needed to boost local economies and crucially, to help stimulate growth across Scotland.
"The two new ferries will come into operation in 2013 and are the world's first seagoing passenger and vehicle roll-on roll-off ferries to incorporate a low-carbon hybrid system of diesel electric and battery power. The technology will be cleaner, quieter and cheaper to operate and maintain than ever before. It will help Scotland to meet our ambitious climate change targets, and demonstrates the vast economic potential of developing green technology and moving to a low carbon economy. This project will provide a boost for commercial shipbuilding on the Clyde - it has been over four years since the last commercial ship was fully built and delivered. Today we should celebrate that Scotland's world renowned engineering skills will not only continue as a direct result of the new jobs the contract will create, but flourish when a new generation of skilled shipbuilders soon begin their apprenticeships."
Guy Platten, CEO of CMAL - which developed the detailed specification of the new ferry - said: "This project provides a fantastic commercial opportunity for Scottish shipbuilding and we are delighted to announce Ferguson as the preferred bidder for the contract to build the world's first sea-going roll on -roll off vehicle and passenger hybrid ferry. CMAL is committed to leading the way in innovative ferry design and building for the future and we hope to see the first of these vessels in operation in Spring / Summer 2013."
Richard Deane, managing director of Ferguson Shipbuilders Ltd added: "The Clyde has a proud shipbuilding heritage and it is wonderful to be part of such a ground breaking project, which will see the world's first hybrid ferries sailing in Scotland. The project will have a major impact on the local economy, including the creation of a number of new jobs throughout the course of the build and we look forward to signing the contracts and starting work in due course."
