By Paris Tsirigotis

 

 

The conversion of a medium-sized conventional second-hand ship into a hybrid-electric propelled one is foreseen by a pioneering program of the General Secretariat of Ports, Port Policy and Maritime Investments.

 

This is a project which has been carried out in collaboration with the electrical engineering department of the University of Western Attica and the municipalities of Aigio and Dorida, who are expected to proceed with the establishment of an inter-municipal maritime company.

 

The financing of the program, which amounts approximately 6 million euros and has already been secured through the NSRF, includes not only the finding of a ship and its conversion into a hybrid-electric propulsion, but also the new infrastructures that will be implemented in the port facilities of the Aegean and in the area of Agios Nikolaos Fokida so that the ship can be charged from renewable sources (Photovoltaic and/or Wind Park). A safe and ultra-fast electrical charging system for the batteries will also be built, which will enable the ship to move continuously.

 

The studies of the program have been completed and after the first revision of the NSRF by the end of 2022, the beginning of 2023, the first funding is expected to start the implementation of the projects.

 

Ship transportability - Objective of the program

 

 The ship, which is expected to be selected after an international tender, will connect Aigio with the islets of Troizonia and Agios Nikolaos Doridos by coastal ferry, while it will have the capacity to transport at least 150 people.

 

The conversion from conventional to electric will be done in a Greek shipyard under the supervision of the electrical department of the University of West Attica and will have all the necessary specifications and standards of International Maritime Organization (IMO).

 

The total distance the ship will cover each way will be approximately 20 miles.The plan foresees 4 routes per day in the winter months, while in the summer when the passenger traffic will increase, there will be more.

 

The program of the General Secretariat of Maritime Investments aims to overcome the miles traveled that can be covered so far by a ship with batteries internationally and also to be a "pilot" of the more general policy for undertaking initiatives for investments related to the use of renewable energy sources in port facilities but also for the "greening" of small coastal shipping vessels. A Standard Control and Certification Center for Hybrid Electric Propulsion Vessels will also be established.