By fitting ABB’s shore connection technology, three Corsica Linea ferries will cut emissions and noise pollution while berthed in Marseille, France.
Instead of running diesel-fuelled auxiliary engines, the ferries ‘Paglia Orba’, ‘Jean Nicoli’ and ‘Pascal Paoli’ will use electricity for power at the berth. Each of the three vessels is being modified to feature ABB’s power compensation solution Dynacomp, which allows electricity available from the local grid in Marseille to be stepped down to 11 KV in order to take care of ship power needs while in port.
“ABB shore connection technology enables the type of emissions-free ship power that regulators, ports and local residents increasingly demand. With ABB’s proven technology, ‘Paglia Orba’, ‘Jean Nicoli’ and ‘Pascal Paoli’ will be emissions-free when berthed in Marseille,” said Ludovic Amouroux, Project Manager, Corsica Linea. “We estimate we will use between 7 MWh and 11 MWh of zero-emission power per call, depending on the vessel.”
“Decision-makers in the ferry sector like Corsica Linea continue to lead on zero-emission shore power, proving that existing vessels can significantly reduce environmental impact with technology that is available to shipowners today. We are delighted to offer our turnkey shore connection solution to meet Corsica Linea’s shoreside power needs,” said Jyri Jusslin, Head of Service, ABB Marine & Ports.
The project covers the supply and shipboard installation of electrical, mechanical and automation systems to enable shore power connection. On the shore side, ABB will deliver a custom-designed cable management system to be located on the quay at Marseille.
The three Corsica Linea ferries carrying vehicles and passengers between Marseille and Corsica, operating for 48 weeks of the year. The installation of ABB’s shore connection technology on the ‘Paglia Orba’, is already underway, while the two remaining vessels will be fitted in 2020.
Worldwide, ferries transport 2.1 bill passengers and 250 mill vehicles each year, according to trade association Interferry. With increasing passenger volumes, the ferry industry is under pressure to meet the IMO’s target of reducing annual emissions by 30% by 2025.
After France presented an impact assessment to IMO in late 2018, momentum is building to designate the Mediterranean Sea as an Emissions Control Area where stricter controls are in place to minimize emissions from ships.
Marseille’s efforts to reduce emissions include participation within the EU-funded CLIMEPORT greenhouse gas initiative, while Grand Port Maritime de Marseille (GPPM) has also built the infrastructure at two berths to facilitate shoreside power connections.
