Wärtsilä to supply propulsion for electric ferries in San Francisco Bay

Wärtsilä has been contracted to supply the propulsion systems for three all-electric high-speed ferries to be deployed in San Francisco Bay. These will be the first all-electric high-speed ferries to be built and operated in the US. Wärtsilä's contract partner is All American Marine (AAM) on behalf of San Francisco Bay Ferry, the largest public ferry operator in California.

The three zero-emission vessels with Wärtsilä propulsion systems are part of San Francisco Bay Ferry’s Rapid Electric Emission Free (REEF) Ferry Program. The electric ferries will operate on new routes that connect two of San Francisco’s fastest-growing neighbourhoods, Treasure Island and Mission Bay, to SF Bay Ferry’s Downtown S.F. ferry hub.

Wärtsilä says it will work within the REEF project team to finalise the vessel and charging system concepts. The propulsion system provided by the Finnish company includes the energy and power management system (EPMS), the integrated automation system (IAS), batteries, DC Hub, transformers, E-Motors, and the shore power supply.

The initial concept design of the ferries was created by Aurora Marine Design, especially for SF Bay Ferry. Teknicraft is responsible for the more detailed design of the vessels that will be built to USCG Subchapter T standards. The electric ferries will transport passengers across San Francisco Bay at 24 knots, powered by dual 625-kilowatt electric motors. The zero-emission marine vessels will be 100 feet long with a 26-foot beam and a 5.9-foot draft, states Wärtsilä.

The Finnish company, which manufactures and services power sources and other equipment in the marine and energy markets, recently provided plug-in hybrid systems for two ferries for Scandlines.

The electrification of ferry services is slowly picking up adoption internationally. Wärtsilä also provided propulsion systems for a 130-metre vessel that is being built for the South American shipping company Buquebus, planned to begin operation between Argentina and Uruguay this year. Smaller electric ferries are being put into operation across the globe by a number of different companies specialising in zero-emission marine craft.

wartsila.com