Leclanché to provide battery systems to hybrid Ro-Pax ferries

Swiss battery company Leclanché has been selected to provide battery systems to two hybrid Ro-Pax ferries being built for ferry companies Stena Line and Brittany Ferries.

PHOTO: Model of Brittany Ferries’ LNG-battery hybrid Ro-Pax ferry Saint Malo. Leclanché

Designed and developed by Stena RoRo, a unit of Stena Line, and Brittany Ferries, the hybrid Ro-Pax ferries will be able to operate on both liquified natural gas (LNG) and Leclanché’s battery storage system. They claim the hybrid setup will reduce the ferries' emissions and environmental impact significantly compared to oil-fuelled vessels.

When they are delivered between 2024-2025, the ferries will be deployed on a 10-year lease to Brittany Ferries and run between the English port of Portsmouth and the French ports of Saint-Malo and Caen.

Stena RoRo’s general manager of newbuilds Staffan Stenfelt says he is excited to be part of “this major milestone in hybridisation technology and demonstrate the importance of flexibility in building next generation vessels that can adapt to the latest technology developments.”

Leclanché’s chief executive Phil Broad says his company is delighted to be part of efforts in “favour of the decarbonisation of maritime transport.”

Shipowners are increasingly exploring completely battery-powered and hybrid vessels in pursuit of their decarbonisation goals.

This week, Norwegian ferry operator Norled took delivery of its third zero-emission battery-powered Ro-Pax ferry, the last in a series of similar vessels built for it by Sembcorp Marine.

By Tuhin Roy

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online