Italian ferry operator Liberty Lines has faced significant delays in utilizing the electric propulsion of its new hybrid fast ferries due to the absence of specific classification rules for hybrid navigation in Italy. This situation left the company unable to activate the electric component of its vessels for over 18 months while engaging in extensive discussions with maritime authorities. During this time, the company had hybrid ships that could not operate as intended.
After resolving these issues through collaboration with the relevant authorities, Liberty Lines is now able to run its nine hybrid ferries. These vessels, constructed by Spain’s Armon, are part of the fleet modernization initiative initiated in 2022. The ferries link Sicily with nearby smaller islands and accommodate up to 251 passengers each. They predominantly operate on electric power during port approaches and departures, switching to traditional propulsion when offshore. This shift has reportedly led to a 30% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to the older vessels they replaced.
In a parallel development, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) has encountered similar bureaucratic obstacles concerning approvals for battery propulsion on its railway ferry, Iginia. RFI successfully navigated the regulatory landscape using the SOLAS convention and guidance from the European Maritime Safety Agency, enabling the implementation of innovative energy systems amid slow-moving approval processes. Plans are also in place for the establishment of shore power infrastructure at Messina, aimed at facilitating longer periods of fully electric operation in the Strait of Messina.
