Brittany Ferries is launching its latest hybrid ferry, which uses the largest batteries ever installed on a ship.
In future, the “Saint-Malo” will cross the English Channel using both LNG and electric power. It will be used on the route between the eponymous St. Malo in France and Portsmouth on the south coast of England.
The ferry built by CSC Jinling in China has a “dual drive”. The main engines are powered by bio-gas (LNG). When docking and casting off, the electric traction motors will draw their energy from the installed batteries, enabling emission-free operation.
These are reportedly the largest energy packs ever installed on board a ship. The batteries supplied by AYK Energy have a total capacity of 12 MWh. During a test trip, it has already been demonstrated that the ferry can maintain a speed of 14 knots in battery-only mode in the event of an engine failure. The batteries are recharged in port.
The “Saint-Malo” is almost 200 metres long and just under 28 metres wide. The ferry has ten decks and is expected to cross the English Channel at speeds of up to 23 knots. Thanks to the increased capacity compared to the previous ferry, 35,000 to 40,000 more passengers per year could be transported in future. In addition, the new vessel can transport 63 trucks at full capacity, while the “Bretagne” can only transport 37 trucks.
About Brittany Ferries: Brittany Ferries is a major French player in maritime transport and the largest employer of French seafarers. It plays an important role in the economic and tourist development of the coastal regions they serve in France, the UK, Ireland and Spain. Brittany Ferries is an environmentally conscious company that is continuing the renewal of its fleet of 12 vessels. Between 2023 and 2025, two new LNG-powered vessels and two hybrid LNG-electric vessels will enter service.
