South Korea’s first state-owned all-electric ferry powered by ABB

- Busan Port Authority has launched its first all-electric ferry, with power and propulsion technology provided by ABB 

- Twin 1,068-kWh battery packs provide clean energy while ABB’s Onboard DC Grid™ and PEMS™ ensure optimal power distribution

 - The new vessel is part of South Korea’s commitment to decarbonizing its fleet in line with environmental legislation

ABB powers South Korea's first state-owned all-electric ferry - Image credit Busan Port Authority

Demonstrating a significant advance in South Korea’s strategy for maritime decarbonization, Busan Port Authority (BPA) has officially launched the first state-owned all-electric ferry, with the end-to-end electric power and propulsion system supplied by ABB.

Built by Busan’s Kangnam Corporation, the new passenger ferry is the first realization by South Korean authorities of their plan to replace 140 state-owned assets with ships running on cleaner energy sources by 20301, in line with environmental legislation. Sustainable ferries will play a significant role in South Korea’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, as set out in the country’s Green New Deal announced in 2020.

“This vessel demonstrates Busan Port Authority’s commitment to cleaner, smarter port operations,” said Woong-Ki Lee, Port Manager, Busan Port Authority. “By introducing an all-electric ferry to serve our North–South Port connection, we are reducing local emissions and noise while providing a replicable model for future harbor craft. ABB’s integrated electric propulsion and energy storage system has given us the efficiency, safety, and reliability we need to deliver a better experience for passengers and a healthier environment for our city.”

ABB’s Onboard DC Grid™ power distribution system ensures optimal delivery of battery output to the vessel’s subsystems, with ABB’s PEMS™ power and energy management system controlling overall power distribution, increasing fault tolerance, and providing a high degree of reliability.

During operations, the ferry is remotely monitored and supported by experts from ABB’s global network of ABB Ability™ Collaborative Operations Centers. Remote support and connectivity, together with advanced data analytics enabled by the ABB Ability™ Remote Diagnostics System, further enhance the vessel’s operational safety and optimize performance while helping to promptly detect and correct faults on board.

Equipped with two 1,068-kilowatt-hour battery packs for emissions-free operations, the vessel will take approximately one hour and 30 minutes to fully charge the battery using 500 kW of power, which enables about two hours of operation.

While the vessel is berthed, it is connected to the shore charging station via a stable optical communication link, allowing automatic control of charging and discharging from aboard.

“The launch of this new passenger ferry is testament to both Busan Port Authority’s and South Korea’s decarbonization ambitions and provides a blueprint in pursuit of increasing energy-efficiency and reducing emissions,” said Riccardo Repetto, Global Segment Manager, Short Distance Shipping, ABB’s Marine & Ports division. “The project also demonstrates the power of ABB’s Onboard DC Grid™ as an enabling platform for cleaner maritime operations. We are proud to have played an integral role in delivering South Korea’s first state-owned all-electric ferry.”

■ Contact: ABB www.abb.com