Construction of Korea’s first fully electrically propelled car ferry begins

▶ Electrically propelled car ferries without particulate matter emission to sail in Korean waters

▶ World’s first removable power supply system

□ Construction has begun on the K1, Korea’s first fully electrically propelled car ferry.

□ The Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean engineering (hereinafter KRISO, President Booki, Kim) held a steel cutting ceremony signalling the commencement of construction of the fully electrically propelled car ferry K1 at Yuil’s factory no. 5 in Mokpo on July 29th.

□ Car ferries are a type of passenger ship that can also carry cargo such as vehicles in an open loading zone. There are currently 162 car ferries in operation in Korea.

□ Currently operating car ferries run on diesel fuel, resulting in air pollution, noise and smell. The electrically propelled car ferry under construction runs 100% on electricity, eliminating polluting emissions such as particulate matter and carbon compounds. The electric propulsion system is also vibration-free, creating a more pleasant experience for passengers and island residents.

□ Moreover, the car ferry will also utilize the worlds’ first removable power supply system, which means that ports need not be fitted with high voltage facilities for direct charging. This system overcomes the challenges of the Korean coastal environment, with large tidal range and frequent flooding due to typhoons.

□ In the removable battery system, a vehicle carrying the battery is loaded onto the car ferry. When the vehicle is connected to the car ferry, it supplies the vessel with electricity for propulsion and other operations. Moreover, the vehicle loaded battery could also be used to supply clean electricity to island regions.

□ The electrically propelled car ferry was developed in response to the push towards decarbonization by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the international community. The government has introduced stricter environmental regulations such as a 0.1% sulphur cap on vessel fuel in waters around the nation’s 5 major ports, including Incheon, from September 2020, and increased policy support for eco-friendly ship development with the newly enacted Environment-friendly Ship Act* and the 2030 leading nation in shipping industry strategy.

* Act on Promotion of Development and Distribution of Environment-Friendly Ships

□ Since 2020, KRISO has been carrying out the electrically-propelled car ferry and removable power supply system development project to improve the coastal environment with green car ferries, funded by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The project has 16 partners* including the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, Research Institute of Medium & Small Shipbuilding, Yuil, RaonTec, KTE, and First C&D.

* KRISO, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, Research Institute of Medium & Small Shipbuilding, Yuil, Far East Ship Design and Engineering, RaonTec, Durasonic, Genehco, BNSoft, Samhyun, KTE, First C&D, Geumyoung, Leeyoung SND, Korean Register of Shipping, KAIST (16 partners)

□ KRISO and its research partners are working to standardize and commercialize the removable power supply system for ships, and also plan to construct an integrated control system to improve the efficiency and safety of the electrically propelled car ferry.

□ The car ferry is being constructed at heavy industry firm Yuil’s factory in Mokpo, Jeonnam province. Once full scale optimization has been completed, it will begin sailing directly in a designated sea route connected to Mokpo. The Korean Register of Shipping will conduct inspections of every process from design to construction and test operations.

□ Upon its completion in 2022, the electrically propelled car ferry will enter the commercial market by 2023 following test sails and optimization, etc.

□ KRISO President Booki, Kim commented that “KRISO will contribute to the creation of a clean coastal environment through the successful construction and demonstration of Korea’s first fully electrically propelled car ferry, while striving to lead global technology in eco-friendly fuel and propulsion systems.”

□ Meanwhile KRISO joined the Industry-University-Research Institute-Government MOU for the Creation of a Environment-Friendly Ship Ecosystem at a ceremony conducted on 28th July at Hyundai Hotel in Mokpo. Partners from industrial actors to universities, research institutes and government institutions joined hands in a partnership covering the entire lifecycle of an environment-friendly vessel, from research to equipment development, vessel design, construction, demonstration and operation.