Siemens selected for Interislander ferries’ electric propulsion system

KiwiRail has selected Siemens Energy to supply the integrated electric propulsion system (EPS) for the Interislander’s new rail-enabled, more environmentally friendly ferries.

The EPS includes the alternators, switchboards, batteries, azimuth thrusters, power and battery management systems and integrated alarm system. In addition, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and Siemens Energy entered into a contract to design, supply, install, and commission the EPS for the two new ferries.

The Interisland Resilience Connection (iReX) project is a $1.45 billion investment which will see the two new ferries coming into service in 2025 and 2026.

The project also includes modernised ferry precincts in Waitohi Picton and Kaiwharawhara in Wellington, including ferry berths, terminals and both rail and road connections.

Selecting Siemens Energy as the maker for the EPS is another step towards the 40% reduction in emissions that the new fleet will bring to Interislander operations and KiwiRail’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

iReX ships programme manager Massimo Soprano says the Siemens Energy system selected will deliver performance improvements in safety, manoeuvrability as well as in reducing environmental impact for the Interislander operations.

The hybrid technology will use electrical propulsion from generators fuelled by diesel and batteries recharged by electrical shore power.

Batteries will power 30% of the three-hour journey while, under normal conditions, the ferries will be operating on batteries only while manoeuvring and in port, using a combination of battery and shore power.

Any surplus energy produced by the generators during sailing can also be battery stored.

The selected propulsion system uses ‘pods’ mounted outside the hull and contain an electric motor which drives the external propellor. The pods can rotate through 360 degrees independently or working together providing greater manoeuvrability, particularly during berthing, and greater fuel efficiency than the current ferries.

Podded propulsion can deliver power to any direction, which enables a much higher level of control in prevailing conditions, says KiwiRail, adding they are quieter under water and create little or no vibrations.

The pods are powered by electricity and the combination of diesel generators and hybrid battery systems means operators have more control over consumption, power supply options, redundancy, and resilience.

Other significant makers selections by KiwiRail include the selection of Kawasaki Heavy Industries of Japan to supply four 2800kW bow thrusters for each of the new ferries and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan to supply fin stabilisers.