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ABB Awarded Contract to Deliver Advanced Propulsion System
ABB has secured a contract with the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT). They will provide a key component for a brand-new ferry serving the island community of Islesboro. This innovative vessel will utilize hybrid-electric technology. It significantly reduces emissions and enhances reliability compared to the existing diesel-powered ferry it replaces.
Setting a Course for Sustainable Transportation
This project marks a significant step forward for clean transportation in Maine. The hybrid-electric ferry signifies a growing preference among US public agencies for this technology. It offers both environmental benefits and operational efficiency. ABB’s contribution includes the ferry’s hybrid-electric propulsion system and energy storage solution. Their award-winning Onboard DC Grid™ system optimizes energy use, while the ABB Ability™ Marine Remote Diagnostic System allows for continuous monitoring of onboard systems, maximizing uptime.
Connecting Islanders with Essential Services
The new ferry, measuring 207 feet (62 meters) in length, will transport up to 200 passengers and 40 vehicles between Lincolnville and Islesboro, located roughly three nautical miles offshore. Funding for the project comes primarily from the Federal Transit Administration’s Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program and Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program. The latter program also supports the modernization of ferry terminals to improve safety and efficiency.
Reduced Emissions, Improved Efficiency
The new hybrid-electric ferry, replacing the 35-year-old Margaret Chase Smith, is projected to achieve a substantial reduction in fuel consumption – an estimated 100,000 gallons annually. This translates to a significant decrease in CO2 emissions, roughly equivalent to 1,100 tons per year. This project directly aligns with the Maine Clean Transportation Roadmap’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.
Quotes Highlighting Significance
“The new hybrid-electric Lincolnville-Islesboro ferry will play a crucial role in our efforts to decarbonize transportation across Maine,” stated Mackenzie Kersbergen P.E., Senior Project Manager for MaineDOT’s Multimodal Program. “ABB has been a valuable partner throughout the design phase, and we’re eager to see their system in operation. Their proven service network and digital monitoring capabilities were key factors in selecting them as the systems integrator for this critical project.”
ABB’s Track Record in Sustainable Marine Solutions
This project adds to ABB’s growing portfolio of sustainable marine solutions in the US. In 2021, they secured a contract with Casco Bay Lines to supply a hybrid power and propulsion system with shore-charging capability for a ferry serving the Portland-Peaks Island route. This vessel is expected to enter service later in 2024. It is anticipated to achieve an annual CO2 reduction of approximately 800 tons. ABB has also been involved in fleet electrification projects with Washington State Ferries, the nation’s largest ferry system, and provided the power and propulsion package for the newest “Maid of the Mist” Niagara Falls tour ferries – the first entirely electric vessels built in the US.