Internet Explorer, Chrome Browser, Firefox Browser, Safari Browser
Press Release23 February 2017Process Industries and DrivesNuremberg
World's first electrically powered boat for fish farming goes into operation in Norway
The picture shows the electric boat "Elfrida"
The "Elfrida" has been sailing out of its home port of the Island of Frøya, in Norway, since February. The work boat is used to transport feed and equipment, to repair or relocate fish cages, check anchorages, and make inspections. The ship is equipped with the BlueDrive PlusC propulsion system from Siemens, which incorporates an energy management system, thruster and propeller controls, and EcoMain remote monitoring. The Siemens technology was developed in Trondheim, Norway, and is based on solutions designed for offshore ships. This ensured that the technology was tested under the severest conditions and further developed over many years. The electric propulsion system saves not only fuel but also operating costs, because an electric motor requires maintenance much less often than a diesel engine. Furthermore, work on the "Elfrida" is eco-friendly because of the absence of the exhaust gases, vibrations, and noise produced by a diesel engine.
Siemens is pioneer as a supplier of green solutions for shipbuilding: After the "Ampere", the world's first electric ferry in Norway, and an order from FinFerries, a Finnish shipping company, a third order followed in 2016 from Fjord1, a Norwegian ferry operator. In November 2016, Siemens won a supply contract for two new battery-powered ferries. The ferries are operated by FosenNamsos Sjø AS and will sail between Flakk and Rorvik on the west coast of Norway. Both vessels can carry 130 cars and 390 passengers and are due to go into operation in 2019. So, the world's first fully electric ferries are sailing with technology developed and manufactured by Siemens.
Using electric ships is especially beneficial in Norway, because the country generates all its electricity from renewable sources. Consequently, the generation of electricity does not emit any greenhouse gases. The fishing fleet alone, which nowadays consumes some 400 million liters of diesel each year, could reduce its fuel consumption by 80 percent by converting to electric propulsion. This would contribute toward the 40 percent reduction of the greenhouse gas CO2, to which the Norwegian government has committed itself.
For further information on green solutions in the shipbuilding industry, please see www.siemens.com/press/e-ferry
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 165 years. The company is active in more than 200 countries, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world's largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of efficient power generation and power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry. The company is also a leading provider of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. In fiscal 2016, which ended on September 30, 2016, Siemens generated revenue of €79.6 billion and net income of €5.6 billion. At the end of September 2016, the company had around 351,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.
Contact
Katharina Zoefeld
Siemens AG
Gleiwitzer Str. 555
90475 Nuremberg
Germany
90475 Nuremberg
Germany
+49 (89) 636-636802