Bluferries has launched a hybrid ro-ro passenger ship, Sikania II Hybrid, to operate between Villa San Giovanni (Reggio Calabria) and Messina in Italy.
Bluferries’ hybrid ro-ro passenger ship
The vessel, designed by CTE Perdikaris Engineering, Architectural & Technical Services and built in Greece under the supervision of RINA, measures approximately 105m in length and boasts a gross tonnage of 4,100 GT. It is designed to transport 22 heavy vehicles or 125 cars and 400 persons.
Its hybrid system integrates traditional diesel engines with advanced electric propulsion, reducing carbon emissions and fuel consumption. This dual approach not only enhances environmental sustainability by offering zero emissions at ports during loading and unloading operations but also reduces fuel consumption during navigation, ensuring reliable and efficient service for passengers.
The ship is equipped with four azimuth thrusters Z-drive, each connected directly to one diesel engine of 1,000kW and one electrical motor of 350kW. The electrical motors are connected to NMC batteries with an energy storage capacity of 1MWh. The vessel is energy-independent, featuring an advanced energy management system.
During navigation, the batteries can be charged through the electrical motors acting as shaft generators. The stored energy is used for hybrid propulsion, combining diesel engines and electric motors to supply power to the azimuth thrusters. When approaching port, the vessel operates on fully electric propulsion for zero emissions during all maneuvering, loading and unloading operations. Additionally, solar panels fitted on board provide 25kW of power, supplying all ship accommodation services.
Sustainable marine partnership
Giuseppe Sciumè, CEO of Bluferries, commented, “Bluferries remains at the forefront of maritime innovation with our new hybrid ro-ro vessel, developed in collaboration with CTE Perdikaris and classed by RINA. This vessel meets high standards of efficiency and reliability, paving the way for greener maritime transport. Its inaugural voyage is set for early 2025, with regular services to follow. We plan to expand our hybrid fleet, reinforcing our position in eco-friendly maritime solutions. This launch enhances connectivity between Sicily’s key hubs. The Calabria-Sicily route will benefit from a faster, cleaner and more reliable transportation option.”
Theano Perdikaris, CEO of CTE Perdikaris, added, “We have brought our extensive expertise to this project, ensuring the vessel meets stringent environmental standards while maintaining operational excellence. This project showcases the potential of hybrid technology in reducing the maritime industry’s carbon footprint. We are proud to partner with Bluferries in setting a new benchmark for sustainable marine transport. Our company, a pioneer in ship design and innovative solutions in Greece, embedding green technology, has designed a ship that meets the challenge from Bluferries to deliver an avant-garde vessel with lower emissions footprint than her two sister vessels Trinacria and Sikania, cutting-edge in terms of environmental technology. Crucial to the success of this endeavor was the involvement of RINA, which proved its commitment to the maritime green transition.”
Sabrina De Filippis, CEO of Mercitalia Logistics, said, “The launch of Bluferries’ new green ship represents a fundamental step in the renewal process of our fleet. Today we can see the result of our investments, with the delivery of this increasingly eco-sustainable vessel. Thanks to the hybrid propulsion it will allow a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions and “zero emissions at port” during the arrival and departure phases. In the coming months it will be subjected to testing and, once towed into the Strait, it will be definitively put into the water, inaugurated and renamed, in order to take full service in the first months of 2025. The new ship is the result of an investment of €26m (US$28m), partly financed with funds from the National Plan for Complementary Investments to the PNRR, and will be added to the five that already operate in the Strait”.
Giosuè Vezzuto, marine executive vice president at RINA, said, “We are proud of the collaboration with Bluferries and CTE Perdikaris on this state-of-the-art hybrid vessel. This project represents a major step toward decarbonization and exemplifies the synergy needed for a sustainable maritime future. It highlights the pioneering efforts and Greece’s pivotal role in advancing sustainable maritime practices. Together, through collaboration and innovation, we are steering toward a cleaner, more responsible worldwide maritime industry for future generations.”
In related news, Finnlines recently launched three hybrid ro-ro vessels. Click here to read the full story.
