Corvus Energy has secured a contract to supply 40 MWh of battery capacity for four new hybrid-electric passenger and vehicle ferries ordered by BC Ferries.
The agreement covers four vessels in BC Ferries’ new Summit Class: Summit Arbutus, Summit Cedar, Summit Maple and Summit Spruce.
Each double-ended ferry will initially receive 10 MWh of installed battery capacity. According to Corvus Energy, this will place the vessels among the world’s highest-capacity battery-powered ferries.
The battery systems will form part of the vessels’ power and propulsion packages.
New ferries designed for future electric operation
Corvus Energy will supply its Dolphin NxtGen Power battery system for the four vessels.
In addition to the initial 10 MWh installation, the company will provide battery interface bases and pack control systems designed to support a further 60 MWh of capacity on each ferry.
This would allow each vessel to accommodate up to 70 MWh of battery capacity in the future.
The design aims to support a transition towards near zero-emission operations as shore charging infrastructure becomes available. With the additional capacity, the vessels could operate nearly emission-free for up to two hours.
Corvus said the approach would allow BC Ferries to increase battery capacity without requiring major structural modifications to the ships.
“We are delighted to be selected again by BC Ferries for this flagship project. BC Ferries continues to drive one of the most ambitious and technically advanced ferry electrification programs in the world,” said Fredrik Witte, CEO, Corvus Energy.
“Our Dolphin NxtGen technology brings the next leap in performance and safety, enabling these vessels to operate efficiently today while paving the way for a fully electric future,” added Witte.
Summit Class vessels to carry 2,100 people
The four new ferries form part of BC Ferries’ New Major Vessels programme, which aims to renew its fleet and increase capacity.
Each vessel will be able to carry up to 360 vehicles and 2,100 passengers and crew.
The ships were designed in collaboration with LMG Marin. They will initially use diesel-battery hybrid propulsion and will also be compatible with biofuel or renewable diesel.
Their design will allow a future transition towards near zero-emission, all-electric operations once suitable shore charging infrastructure is available.
BC Ferries operates 25 routes serving 47 terminals. Its network transports approximately 9.7 million vehicles and 22.7 million passengers each year.
“BC Ferries is looking towards the future of what passenger ferry transport can be for the people, businesses and communities that rely on our ferries every day,” said Ed Hooper, Head of Fleet Renewal, BC Ferries.
“When the new Summit Class vessels begin to arrive in 2029, we will be adding more capacity and building better reliability into the way we do business,” added Hooper.
First new BC Ferries vessel due in 2029
The first Summit Class ferry is scheduled for delivery in 2029.
The four vessels will be built by China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry Group Weihai Shipyard in China.
All four ferries are expected to enter service by 2031.
The project continues an existing relationship between Corvus Energy and BC Ferries. Corvus already supplies battery technology for the operator’s Island Class fleet.
