Leclanché to supply battery systems for a second pair of CMAL hybrid ferries
14 September 2023
Leclanché SA has been selected for a second battery system project on behalf of Scotland’s Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL)—this time for a pair of roll-on, roll-off passenger and vehicle ferries (RoPax) which will serve three islands in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides islands.
The contract for two 1.1 MWh Navius MRS-3 Marine Rack Systems (earlier post) was awarded to Leclanché by elkon, part of Germany’s SCHOTTEL Group and a prominent electrical systems integrator for the marine industry, based in Istanbul.
The Navius MRS-3 Marine Rack System comprises the latest generation Leclanché M3 Energy battery modules fitted with proprietary high-energy 65 Ah G/NMC cells, a Functionally Safe Battery Management system and is assembled into a scalable and modular rack system.
The Navius MRS-3 battery system utilizes liquid-cooling for more efficient thermal management, a longer system lifetime and high performance in a compact footprint.
Elkon had previously selected Leclanché to provide its advanced battery systems for two CMAL ferries, the MV Loch Indaal and MV Isle of Islay, being built to serve Scotland's Inner Hebrides islands of Islay and Jura. Battery systems for the two first projects are scheduled for delivery in 2024 and 2025 and systems for the second set of vessels later in 2025.
The two new CMAL vessels are nearly identical to those of the MV Loch Indaal and MV Isle of Islay, other than raised aft mooring decks to accommodate the higher pier heights at the three ports they will serve, according to Özgür Arslancan, Technology Director at elkon.
The hybrid vessels are being built at Turkey’s CEMRE shipyard. Each vessel will measure 94.8 meters in length with a capacity for 450 passengers and 100 cars (or 14 commercial vehicles). They will serve the ports of Lochmaddy, the administrative center of North Uist; Tarbert on the Isle of Harris; and Uig on the Isle of Skye.
The Outer Hebrides Islands, located off the west coast of Scotland, form part of the archipelago of the Hebrides and are separated from the mainland and the Inner Hebrides by the waters of the Minch, the Little Minch and the Sea of the Hebrides. Of the approximate 65 islands, just 15 are inhabited with a total estimated population of 26,830.
The new dedicated hybrid vessels will replace current shared vessel routes to provide an expanded and more reliable service. The route will cover some 25 nautical miles each way, with a total sailing time of 1 hour 45 minutes between the ports of Uig and Lochmaddy and 1 hour 40 minutes between the ports of Uig and Tarbert. Leclanché’s battery system, which will include its latest cell technology, will allow the ferries to sail into each port quietly and carbon-free.
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