The latest addition to the FinFerries fleet, the Altera ferry, is equipped with highly efficient azimuth drives from SCHOTTEL. The electrically powered hybrid ferry is scheduled to go into operation in 2023 and is currently still being built at the Polish shipyard Crist. Altera is to be operated exclusively with batteries that can be charged with electricity from renewable energies.
Mats Rosin, CEO of the Suomen Lauttaliikenne Group: “Altera translates as proud or excellent, which fits perfectly, because we are proud of the technology used and look forward to being able to put another environmentally friendly electric ferry into operation in Finland. By delivering efficient and sustainable EcoPellers, SCHOTTEL is making an important contribution on our way to a greener future. “
Use even in extreme weather conditions
The drive system of the ferry with the LMG design consists of two electrically driven SCHOTTEL EcoPellers type SRE 430 (each with 950 kW) and propeller diameters of 2.35 m. The azimuth drives have ice reinforcement in accordance with Finnish-Swedish ice class 1B. This means that the ferry can be used all year round in the icy waters of southwest Finland.
Equipped with a battery capacity of 2 x 0.6 megawatt hours, the Altera will only be able to operate its route with its own batteries, which are recharged directly in the port while the ferry is being loaded and unloaded. Diesel gensets only serve as a reserve power source.
Highly efficient, sustainable, versatile
Thanks to the particularly powerful combination of powerful propeller thrust and course-stabilizing fin, the SCHOTTEL EcoPeller meets all the requirements of a modern high-performance drive. Thanks to its hydrodynamically optimized design, the EcoPeller generates the highest steering forces and enables top values in terms of overall efficiency and course stability. This reduces fuel consumption and ensures lower operating costs and lower emissions.
Altera is 100 meters long and 17 meters wide, and the ferry is designed for up to 90 vehicles and 375 passengers.
Reliable relationship
FinFerries and SCHOTTEL have a longstanding partnership in modernizing and building new ships. In total, more than five ferries have already been modernized with drive systems from SCHOTTEL, which enables greater standardization within the existing fleet.
