Transtejo starts emission-free commute in Lisbon with first all-electric ferry

Portuguese ferry company Transtejo Soflusa (TTSL) has taken delivery of the first in a series of 10 all-electric ferries being built by Spanish shipbuilder Astilleros Gondán.

PHOTO: TTSL’s first all-electric ferry. ABB

The ferry has been equipped with an electric power system and battery pack with 1,860- kilowatt hour (kWh) capacity developed by Swedish-Swiss engineering firm ABB.

The ferries will be able to recharge within 5-10 minutes, ABB says.

All 10 of the electric ferries will be deployed to carry commuting people between Lisbon on the north bank of the Tagus river and Trafaria, Porto Brandão, Cacilhas, Seixal, Barreiro and Montijo on the south bank. These ferries will replace older ones in Transtejo Soflusa's fossil fuel-powered fleet.

ABB expects these ferries to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from ferries by 6,500 mt/yr along the Tagus.

“Lisbon is making waves as a pioneer in environmentally-friendly public transportation, as many of the world’s cities realize the benefits electric ferries bring for sustainability,” ABB Marine & Ports’ division president Juha Koskela said.

“Ferry electrification” is an integral part of “Portugal’s strategy to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.”

By Tuhin Roy

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