Hong Kong’s next-generation ferries have batteries and solar panels.

By abbasanwarinfo Last updated Oct 1, 2022

Hong Kong is building a new generation of ferries that will be some of the best for the environment. The nine high-speed passenger ships can carry more than five million people each year between Hong Kong and the nearby islands of Lamma Island, Peng Chau, and Hei Ling Chau along three routes.

Under the Hong Kong Government Vessel Subsidy Scheme, these new ships will be built. The goal of the project is to replace the current ferries while also improving safety and environmental standards. This includes making sure that the High-Speed Craft Code 2000 safety standard is met.

The length of the nine fast boats will be between 115 and 130 feet. Only one of the ships will be made of aluminum. The rest will be made of carbon fiber composite. The ferries will be built in Hong Kong by Cheoy Lee Shipyards, which is one of the few yards in the world that regularly builds ships out of steel, fiberglass, aluminum, and different combinations of these materials, according to Bureau Veritas, the classification society for the project.

Hong Kong’s next-generation

Ferries play an important role in Hong Kong.” Hong Kong’s ferry market is still growing, and with that growth comes the need to meet safety and environmental standards. Bureau Veritas’ certifications will help make sure that ferries are safe, and comfortable, use energy efficiently, and don’t harm the environment. They will do this by working with and supporting everyone involved in this project.

The main goals of the new ships are to use less energy and be better for the environment. All nine ferries will have about 1,000 square feet of solar panels and battery systems to store solar energy and use it to power the ferries. As an alternative way to move, the hybrid ships will also have air-cooled lithium-ion modular battery systems installed.

The main engines that move the ship will be marine diesel engines that meet IMO Tier III standards. As part of a trial program run by Hong Kong’s Environmental Protection Department, two of the nine ships will be moved by diesel-electric hybrid propulsion systems. This will make it possible for these ferries to move around and dock while emitting no pollution. The ships should be ready between the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2025.

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