Incat Crowther is pleased to announce that the design of the first all-electric passenger ferries to operate in Singapore is well underway. Incat Crowther’s e28s, named Electric Dream by the project partners, will transport passengers between mainland Singapore and Shell’s Bukom Island facility, replacing the conventional diesel-powered ferries currently in use.
“The future of shipping will involve different parts of the industry using different fuels, and electrification is one solution to decarbonize short journeys, including port operations,” said Nick Potter, Managing Director of Shell Shipping and Maritime, Asia Pacific and Middle East, in a recent Shell press release. “The move to all-electric, zero-emission ferries is part of Shell’s ambition to help accelerate progress towards net-zero emissions in the shipping sector.”
The vessels, which will be built, owned and operated by publicly traded aluminum shipbuilder-operator Penguin, are notable for being Shell Energy Company’s first all-electric vessels globally.
“Our Electric Dream project is much more than electric ferries and shore-based chargers,” said James Tham, CEO of Penguin. “It is Singapore’s first real-world commercial application of marine electrification.”
Incat Crowther already has eight vessels in operation with electric propulsion systems, including the recently launched Sea Change, a 21-meter catamaran that uses hydrogen fuel cells. The Electric Dream vessels will continue Incat Crowther’s zero-emission trajectory, using battery banks and eliminating any fossil fuels on board, creating zero emissions and very little noise.
The all-electric ferries are powered by a lithium-ion battery system with a capacity of 1.2 MWh and operate at speeds in excess of 20 knots with zero emissions and noise. When berthed at Shell Bukom, the ferries will be charged by a combination of fast charging during peak hours and slow charging during off-peak hours and at night.
“Incat Crowther has a rich history of adapting new technologies to the market and has played a leading role in applying this new propulsion technology to this application,” says Ed Dudson, Managing Director of Incat Crowther Europe. “We have real-world experience in electric drives, energy storage and alternative fuels such as hydrogen and LNG. Having the opportunity to bring our experience and expertise to this project is an important endorsement for us.”
