ABB and Singer Electric collaborate to provide maritime MW charging system for Auckland Transport

Singer Electric and ABB have partnered to deliver the maritime industry’s first megawatt charging system to support Auckland Transport’s upcoming all-electric and hybrid-electric ferries. This shore-to-ship charging system is expected to lower market barriers to entry for electric ships and will be used for ferries and buses by Auckland Transport. The system is expected to improve electric vessel competitiveness against fossil-fueled counterparts.

Auckland’s ferries currently use around 13 million liters of diesel annually and make up 20% of public transport emissions. By electrifying the ferries, Auckland Transport hopes to reduce fuel consumption by about 1.5 million liters annually, avoiding about 4000 metric tons of CO2 emissions. As part of its Mission Electric program, Auckland Transport has already ordered two 200-seat electric ferries and two 300-passenger hybrid-electric ferries, with a goal to become the largest electric ferry fleet operator in the Southern Hemisphere by 2030.

The charging system will be installed by Singer Electric and ABB at various ferry terminals in Auckland, providing more than 3MW of DC power to sustain high-power demands during a ferry call. The system is expected to pave the way for other megawatt charging applications in New Zealand and contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions in the maritime industry.

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