Fjord1 and Brødrene Aa have chosen Brunvoll Mar-El as the system integrator and supplier of electric propulsion systems for one new low-emission and two zero-emission passenger ferries.
The passenger ferries will operate out of Bergen on the routes; Knarvik - Bergen and Kleppestø - Bergen.
Electric and hybrid solutions
"This is a substantial contract for us and a great achievement for everyone at Brunvoll Mar-El," says Helge Asle Lundeberg, Managing Director at Brunvoll Mar-El AS.
Helge Asle Lundeberg adds, "The contract contributes to increasing Brunvoll Mar-El’s ability to provide lightweight electric and hybrid solutions to even larger vessels with more installed power, more battery capacity, and longer range. We are very pleased that Fjord1, together with Brødrene Aa AS, chose Brunvoll Mar-El for these projects.”
Propulsion and Energy management system
The delivery for the three vessels consists of a DC switchboard, electrical motors, inverters, and charging solutions
The delivery for the three vessels consists of a DC switchboard, electrical motors, inverters, and charging solutions. All the components will be integrated together into Brunvoll Mar-El’s Propulsion and Energy management system.
The vessels will be equipped with the Brunvoll Lightweight System Integration, a super compact and flexible integration system optimised for vessels with strict requirements for weight, volume, and performance. The delivery is set to Q2-Q3 in 2024, and the vessels will enter into operation on a 15-year contract with Vestland County Council in January 2025.
Aero-design
The new vessel will have the new Aero-design from Brødrene Aa and will be outfitted with a low-emission propulsion system will have an electrical power output of 3.000 kW and will operate on the long route between Knarvik and Bergen. The two other vessels are newly acquired by Fjord1.
These vessels will be subjects of extensive retrofitting from a conventional propulsion system to a new zero-emission propulsion system, with a power output of 2.200 kW for operation of the Bergen-Askøy route. A charging capacity of up to 4.000 kW will be installed in both Knarvik and Askøy.
Brødrene Aa and Brunvoll Mar-El partnership
"Brødrene Aa and Brunvoll Mar-El have successfully cooperated on several projects over many years," says the CEO of Brødrene Aa, Tor Øyvin Aa.
Tor Øyvin Aa continued, "High-speed passenger vessels have very strict requirements. Both we and Mar-El have put a lot of effort into optimising our designs over the years. Weight and volume are crucial, as well as overall performance and Brunvoll Mar-El delivers on them all. Having dedicated Norwegian partners for this vessel type is very valuable for us."