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This splendid ship owes its existence to the unique combination of owners, designers and builders whose vision, talent and abilities are exceptional.
The Thames Clipper service on London’s mighty rivers has been refined and developed in line with the expectations of the times and circumstances to provide a first-class and very popular public transport service.although earth clipper The previous generation of ferries was an impressive success and the new series of ferries are even more environmentally friendly.
They are all aluminum, shallow draft, high efficiency, mixed fast process. Powered by twin diesel engines, the new ferries can reach speeds of up to 28 knots, but on battery power alone they can reach 12 knots easily, quietly, smoothly and without emissions. They can be easily converted into hydrogen energy when it becomes readily available. At the same time, as aluminum catamarans, they are among the safest ferries at sea.
“The vessel combines the latest solutions in energy storage and hybrid propulsion while also meeting the requirements of high-capacity passenger customers and complying with the UK’s strict regulations for high-speed passenger ships,” said James Mozden, Chief Naval Architect, White Shipbuilding Factory told Baird Marine.
Steve Quigley, managing director of One2Three Naval Architects, added: “This is the UK’s first zero-emission, large-scale (220-passenger) high-speed hybrid electric ferry and it provides valuable data as an example to feed back into new designs, as well as subsequent How it transitions to increased power as shoreside infrastructure catches up.”
For Quigley, the weight and capacity of the powertrain and supporting energy storage systems on board are key for any ship trying to run on low-energy-density fuels, which is important for earth clipper As this technology develops.
“We learned a lot of lessons, but one of the keys was integrating early with suppliers who were unfamiliar with the ship industry, educating the crew and the operational aspects of the business, understanding the most efficient ways to sail and maximizing the ship’s capabilities. With tradition Operation and maintenance is a very different experience compared to a diesel-powered ship.”
The integration of all major mechanical components on board is another challenge to overcome, particularly in ensuring that the battery management system communicates seamlessly with the power management system, hybrid system and conventional drive system.
“This requires close collaboration between all parties involved,” said Charlie McCallum, project engineer at Wight Shiyard. “As one of the first ships to implement such technology on a commercial scale, the engineering design has almost no precedent.”
Mozden believes that the marine industry is currently focused on reducing carbon emissions.
“Hybrid systems, batteries and alternative fuels are all being discussed and investigated regularly,” he said. “As shipbuilders, we are challenged to determine the best way to bring these concepts to market. Regulations continue to evolve with ships and the technologies being developed, so our designs must not only meet today’s regulations, but be able to adapt This is critical for the future requirements of operators.”
The same trend towards low-emission propulsion alternatives is also having an impact on the shipbuilding industry.
“Keeping pace with innovation means being able to commercialize, adapt to changing certification rules, and leverage vendors’ products in the design phase before they are officially released to the market,” Quigley said. Baird Marine. “This is now a daily task, not only to meet current ship requirements, but also to future-proof, making today’s ships fit for many years to come.”
Quigley added that using less energy-dense fuel maximizes the ship’s energy efficiency. Therefore, hull shape development and optimization of each design to achieve the lowest energy consumption also needs to be considered in every design decision.
Commenting on the state of the passenger ship industry, Quigley said many forward-thinking players were interested in reducing fossil fuels and reducing their carbon footprint and would therefore consider a combination of electricity, hydrogen and alternative fuels, with the favored energy source varying on a case-by-case basis. Local supply chains and available infrastructure.
“earth clipper It is a perfect example of a hybrid solution, delivering zero emissions within the central London emissions zone while also operating at high speeds of 30 knots outside the zone, providing rapid transport to the lower Thames region. “
For Sebastian Rowe, commercial manager at White Shipyards, the passenger ship industry remains highly mobile.
“There are a lot of technological innovations, primarily to improve efficiency and reduce carbon footprints. By the same token, I would say the power and propulsion market will be where the biggest growth is. It’s hard to predict exactly how this will develop, but I think in the short term Within this period, we will see an increase in the use of electrification, particularly lithium battery systems, where appropriate and feasible, along with the development of the required shoreside infrastructure support.
“In the long term, I think the development of solid-state battery technology will receive greater attention because solid-state batteries inherently have higher energy density and longer life than lithium-ion batteries, so that they can be considered for Commercial vessel market.”
Rowe added that, in terms of the UK workboat industry as a whole, the industry remains strong due to high quality construction and efforts to get the fundamentals right.
“From a customer’s perspective, they want to know that they can rely on the shipyard to deliver to them on time a vessel that is built to a high standard and meets the requirements they have set out. In many ways, our export success has only added to that credibility; we have a lot of international customers who could have built their ships domestically, but they come to us because they trust us to deliver their projects to their expectations. I think if UK shipyards could Provide this core value and there will always be a place in the market.”
Rowe said White Shipyard is currently going from strength to strength. The period during and after COVID-19 has been particularly difficult for the company and the industry as a whole, but since then there has been a significant increase in opportunities and growth that the team is seeking to capitalize on.
“This requires stable management and a dedicated team within the business,” he told us Baird Marine. “Of course, in terms of the UK domestic market, we are a leader in light, high-speed commercial aircraft. Even overseas, our customers understand what we can achieve and the direct benefits we can bring to their operations.”
For a list of 2023 Best of Award winners, click here.
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