The engine manufacturer Scania and the inland ferry operator Blidösundsbolaget have converted the 1937-built passenger vessel for either joint diesel-electric or purely electric operations.
Rex is now equipped with a 13-litre-big IMO Tier III-compliant diesel engine and an electric one, both supplied by Scania. Their combined power sums up to 240 kW for continues work, up to 290 kW for short periods. The ferry needs approx. 100 kW to maintain cruising speed, making it possible to run Rex solely on electricity for around two hours (the 150-passenger-big ferry is currently employed across the 75-minute-long Tappström-Klara Mälarstrand service on Lake Mälar).
According to Blidösundsbolaget, a decrease of up to 47% of CO2 emissions can be expected thanks to hybridising Rex.
"When Scania reached to us I immediately thought that Rex will be suitable for operating on a very energy efficient hybrid electric powertrain. We need to get rid of fossil fuels and hopefully this is a step in the right direction," Fredrik Liw, Technical Manager, Blidösundsbolaget, said.
Source: Sjöfartstidningen
Photo: Scania