Corvus Energy to power BC Ferries' hybrid vessels

The vessels will feature diesel-battery hybrid propulsion and will be compatible with biofuel or renewable diesel.

IMAGE: BC Ferries' new Summit class design. BC Ferries

Norway-based marine battery technology company Corvus Energy has been contracted by Canada-based ferry operator BC Ferries to supply battery energy storage systems for four new hybrid-electric, double-ended passenger and car ferries.

The vessels are part of BC Ferries’ new Summit Class and will be named Summit Arbutus, Summit Cedar, Summit Maple and Summit Spruce.

The vessels will each have 10 MWh of installed battery capacity, taking the total order to 40 MWh, Corvus said.

Corvus will also supply battery interface bases and pack control systems that can support an additional 60 MWh of battery capacity per vessel, taking the total to 70 MWh.

This will enable the vessels to sail nearly emission-free for up to two hours as charging infrastructure becomes available, the company said.

The battery system will be integrated into the vessels’ power and propulsion systems.

The first ferry is scheduled for delivery in 2029 from China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry Group Weihai Shipyard, with all four vessels due to enter service by 2031.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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