A new, green vessel powered by wind may soon ply Scottish waters, and no, it doesn’t have sails. Scottish Government-owned ferry firm Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) is currently developing a sustainable ferry that uses power from wind farms as part of the EU-funded HYSEAS III program.
The ferry, which will be able to carry 160 passengers and 16 cars, will run from the town of Kirkwall to the island of Shapisnay. It will utilize hydrogen fuel cells, which will draw energy from wind farms on the island. The ferry should be able to travel to other ports in the future once hydrogen fuel becomes available.
Designed by AqualisBraemar LOC Group, the ferry is a promising indication of more zero-emission transportation technology to come. The fuel cell, battery and propulsion are currently being tested in Bergen, Norway, and the design should be complete in March 2022, at which point the procurement process and eventual construction can begin.
