Liberty Lines orders three more hybrid ferries from Incat

Italian ferry operator Liberty Lines has ordered three additional hybrid passenger ferries from Australian shipbuilder Incat Crowther along with the original order of nine, increasing the order tally to 12 ships.

PHOTO: Incat Crowther’s hybrid monohull passenger ferry concept. Incat Crowther

The ferries will be equipped with Rolls-Royce hybrid ship propulsion system that offers a combination of diesel engines, electric motors and batteries.

The hybrid propulsion system will allow vessels to operate in different modes as required. The vessels “will have no emissions to a speed of 8 knots” in all-electric mode.

Besides, these vessels can charge the batteries while cruising at high speeds using the two main engines in hybrid mode. The batteries can be charged through shore power as well, Incat Crowther says.

The ferries are currently under construction at Astilleros Armon’s shipyard in Spain. They are scheduled for delivery between 2023 and 2026.

These hybrid ferries can “help operators both reduce emissions and increase operational efficiency as the world transitions to a net zero future,” Incat Crowther’s chief executive Brett Crowther says.

This deal is “a sign of the growing demand for low-emission ferries,” Crowther adds.

By Tuhin Roy

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