ELECTRIC FERRIES

South Korea has progressed its maritime decarbonisation strategy with the launch of its first state-owned all-electric passenger ferry at Busan. The vessel, delivered for Busan Port Authority, forms part of a broader national programme to replace 140 publicly-owned ships with cleaner alternatives by 2030, supporting the country’s net-zero target for 2050.

The ferry was built locally by Kangnam Corporation and is powered by a fully integrated electric power and propulsion package supplied by ABB. Twin battery packs, each rated at 1,068 kWh, provide emissions-free operation for around two hours, with recharging completed in approximately 90 minutes using a 500 kW shore connection. Charging and discharging are automatically managed through an optical communication link while the vessel is alongside.

ABB’s Onboard DC Grid power distribution architecture and Power and Energy Management System are designed to optimise the flow of electricity across propulsion and auxiliary loads, while improving redundancy and fault tolerance. During service, performance data is monitored remotely through ABB’s global operations centres, with diagnostics intended to identify potential issues before they disrupt operations.

Busan Port Authority has highlighted local air quality and noise reduction as key drivers for the project, particularly given the ferry’s role in connecting the port’s North and South terminals. Harbour craft are increasingly being seen as early candidates for electrification, given their predictable routes and access to shore power, although questions remain around scalability for larger vessels.

For technology suppliers, ABB claims, the project also serves as a reference point in Asia, where regulatory pressure and public investment are beginning to converge around zero-emission coastal shipping. While battery-electric ferries are unlikely to displace liquid fuels across the wider bunker market in the near term, their deployment is widely viewed as an important test bed for energy management systems and port-side charging infrastructure.