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The TrAM project and Medstraum is announced as a finalist in the 2023 European Sustainable Energy Awards. You can vote for TrAM using this link: EUSEW Awards: World’s first fully electric fast ferry.

“We´re extremely proud of Medstraum and extremely proud to be among the few finalists to win this prestigious prize. We kickstarted the future with Medstraum. We set the standard and pace for greener maritime transportation at high speed. This is being recognized worldwide”, says Major Marianne Chesak of Rogaland County Council.

Rogaland County Council is one of 14 partners behind the EU-funded TrAM project which led to the realization of the zero-emission high-speed craft.

The European Sustainable Energy Awards (EUSEW Awards) highlights the success of European actions in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Chasing zero

Medstraum has been in operation for shipowner and mobility company Kolumbus, on the west coast of Norway, since September last year.

“We´re dependent on fast ferries in Norway. We had only a few fast ferries in operation before Medstraum, still transportation at sea accounted for 56 percent of our region’s public transport emissions. With Medstraum in daily zero-emission operation, we´re getting much closer to reaching our goal of becoming climate neutral by 2030”, says the CEO of Kolumbus, Edith Nøkling.

The TrAM project vessel is tailored to optimize energy efficiency. The use of low-weight aluminum has made it much lighter compared to traditional fast ferries. New hull forms and a brand-new propulsion system have made Medstraum reach speeds up to 29 knots – with only batteries on board.

Speeding up the green transition

“The modular design approach is key to the success of the TrAM project. While ships are traditionally built ‘one by one’, the TrAM team drew inspiration from the car industry when developing Medstraum”, says Nøkling.

This allows shipowners to choose from different pre-designed hull and wheelhouse modules. The parts can be built in different yards before being put together. Modularization will reduce manufacturing and engineering costs, making building the following vessels faster and cheaper.

“The success of the TrAM project proves that collaboration across companies, borders and public and private sector are key when it comes to accelerating the green transition,” says CEO of Maritime CleanTech, Ada Jakobsen.

Public voting until 11 June

The TrAM project is one of three finalists shortlisted for the Innovation category of European Sustainable Energy Awards 2023. The winner will be decided by a public vote and will be announced on the opening day of European Sustainable Energy Week in Brussels 20 June.

You can vote for the TrAM project by using this link: EUSEW Awards: World’s first fully electric fast ferry.

TrAM project partners: Maritime CleanTech (NO), Kolumbus (NO), Rogaland County Council (NO), Fjellstrand (NO), Leirvik (NO), Hydro (NO), Servogear (NO), Wärtsilä (NO), HSVA (NO), University of Strathclyde (GB), National Technical University of Athens (GR), Fraunhofer IEM (DE), Uber Boat by Thames Clippers (GB) and De Vlaamse Waterweg (NL).

In the latest Euronews Ocean documentary, the focus is set to clean ships and how electricity propels the shipping industry forward. Medstraum was, of course, featured as a key example.  

In this must-watch short documentary, we see Euronews producer Denis Loctier make a deep dive into solutions for a sustainable shipping future. He explores innovative, non-polluting, and revolutionary solutions for how we transport goods and passengers. As Medstraum checks all the boxes, she was an obvious choice for the filmmakers.  

Producers visited project partners Servogear, Fjellstrand, and Kolumbus to learn more. From their offices in Bømlo, Norway, Servogear explained the technological principles behind the groundbreaking propulsion system designed for Medstraum. Propeller, rudder, and other components were specifically optimized for this ferry, and are now proving to work with even higher efficiencies than expected. Energy savings are especially important when designing battery-powered vessels.  

At Fjellstrand, R&D/Sales manager Edmund Tolo showed the film crew how their innovative design and production methods are making fully electric vessels even cheaper to design and produce. Modularity has been a key principle in the TrAM project, and in the movie this is further elaborated to the audience.  

When visiting Medstraum in Stavanger, project coordinator Mikal Dahle from Kolumbus takes the crew onboard for a ride. He shows them just how the vessel operates, and we get to hear from satisfied passengers and ferry crew.  

For the full experience, check out the documentary here!  

As new low and zero-emission technologies for passenger transport become available, a new question arises: How do we integrate them to urban mobility systems?  

The TrAM project gathered leading experts from around the world to address the planning and operation of mobility hubs as a component of sustainable and user-oriented mobility in cities. Resulting of ambitious climate targets and a need for more sustainable transport, the number of electric ferries such as “Medstraum” are expected to rise. In this hybrid event project partners and other stakeholders addressed the planning and operating of such mobility hubs from an international perspective.    

The conference was opened by representatives from Kolumbus, the Stavanger-based mobility provider and operator of “Medstraum”. Participating in innovation projects such as TrAM has proved valuable for the continuous development of their mobility offer to passengers all over Rogaland County – and aligns with the regional strategy to achieve emission-free public transport.  

To highlight ship transport as an integral part of future mobility, the conference was continued by Steinar Meling, CEO of Yago and Project Manager at Nordic Edge. Shifting the focus from a regional perspective, he elaborated on growing trends for all urban environments. Especially “ACES” technologies are expected to grow popular over the coming years; autonomous, connected, electric, and shared.  

Following the broader perspective on how to integrate water into land mobility, four representatives from different European and American cities gave examples from their hometowns. They described what challenges and solutions they came across when developing their urban mobility systems, with a special focus on integrating waterborne transport. Both user acceptance, standardization, and “must-haves” for seamless configuration of intermodal mobility hubs were debated. Experiences from Stavanger, London, Kiel, and New York City were shared with the audience, who also had the chance to question all four speakers.  

The conference was rounded off by a panel discussion with the city representatives. Here they got into the detail of what are the most important criteria for planning a mobility hub, and what government incentives must be in place to do so. The question of whether and when we will see fully autonomous passenger vessels was asked in the end; with answers ranging from very soon to not so much.  

For a full view of the presentations and the panel discussion, check out the recording.

Integrating waterborne transport to urban mobility hubs 

As new low and zero emission technologies for passenger transport become available, a new question arises: How do we integrate them to the urban mobility systems?  

The TrAM project gathered leading experts from around the world to address planning and operation of mobility hubs as a component of sustainable and user-oriented mobility in cities. Resulting from ambitious climate targets and a need for more sustainable transport, the number of electric ferries such as “Medstraum” are expected to rise. In this hybrid event project partners and other stakeholders addressed the planning and operating of such mobility hubs from an international perspective.    

The conference was opened by representatives from Kolumbus, the Stavanger based mobility provider and operator of “Medstraum”. Participating in innovation projects such as TrAM has proved valuable for the continuous development of their mobility offer to passengers all over Rogaland County – and aligns with the regional strategy to achieve emission free public transport.  

To highlight ship transport as an integral part of future mobility, the conference was continued by Steinar Meling, CEO of Yago and Project Manager at Nordic Edge. Shifting the focus from a regional perspective, he elaborated on growing trends for all urban environments. Especially “ACES” technologies are expected to grow popular over the coming years; autonomous, connected, electric and shared. It will therefore be important to consider these when planning a mobility hub. Fabian Edel, Innovation Design Expert from Fraunhofer and project partner, adds to the question of designing the hubs:  

–In general, communication is key when designing a mobility hub. That way, best practices, general recommendation on must-have, nice-to-have-services as well as technical requirements can be taught to mobility planners around Europe. Not only does that help show the problems occurring during the planning phase, but also ensures that the most important aspects are taken into account.” 

Following the broader perspective on how to integrate the water to land mobility, four representatives from different European and American cities gave examples from their hometowns. They described what challenges and solutions they came across when developing their urban mobility systems, with a special focus on integrating waterborne transport. Both user acceptance, standardization, and “must-haves” for seamless configuration of intermodal mobility hubs were debated. Experiences from Stavanger, London, Kiel and New York City were shared with the audience, who also had the chance to question all four speakers.  

–A big task we have in the TrAM-project is to make it viable and replicable for other cities in Europe. As every location is different, it is important to design a mobility interface that is specifically adapted to the conditions at hand. Nevertheless, certain methodological and modular practices can be applied, to make smart city planning more efficient, says Fabian Edel. 

The conference was rounded of by a panel discussion with the city representatives. Here they got into detail of what are the most important criteria for planning a mobility hub, and what government incentives must be in place to do so. The question of whether and when we will see fully autonomous passenger vessels was asked in the end; with answers ranging from very soon to not so much.  

For a full view of the presentations and the panel discussion, check out the recording. 

 

– Medstraum is a shining example of what we can achieve with good cooperation and innovation, said Norwegian Minister of Transport, Jon-Ivar Nygård.

The Norwegian Minister of Transport opened the naming ceremony of the TrAM project vessel Medstraum´s in Stavanger, Thursday.

Project partners, distinguished guests from the EU and key players from the global maritime sector, were all invited to take part in the ceremony.

­– I would like to pay great tribute to Maritime CleanTech as the prime mover in a Norwegian competence environment, which is a leader in the green maritime industry. I would also like to say a big thank you to the mobility company Kolumbus, which has ventured out on this journey and set the course towards zero-emissions for fast moving passenger vessels, Nygård said.

In his opening speech, the Minister also pointed out the importance of Rogaland County’s involvement and support of the innovative project.  

After a high-level seminar, the participants moved to Skagenkaien. Here the Rogaland County Mayor Marianne Chesak did the honors of naming the vessel.

– I am very proud to be the godmother of Medstraum, and I will remember this day for the rest of my life, Chesak said.

She preceded to highlight the project as the marking of a new and greener future for shipping.

In a symposium earlier this day, the County Mayor and Godmother addressed international guests from The European Union, Canada, and Scotland. The Minister of Transport was also present, along with both local and regional politicians, representatives from the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), The Norwegian Confederation of Business (NHO), partners and other excited participants.

After her naming ceremony, Medstraum did several trial trips with the public.

When starting her route for Kolumbus, the fast ferry will transport passengers between Stavanger and the city islands. Replacing the traditional fossil fueled fast ferry on this route, Medstraum will reduce CO2-emissions equivalent to 30 busses each year.

– Medstraum is already stirring great interest internationally. The maritime industry across the world is now looking at what we achieve in our maritime cluster. This could really be the start of a new adventure for our industry.  Not only have the project partners developed and demonstrated a new and emission-free propulsion system that can maintain higher speeds than before, but we have also adopted completely new modular design- and construction methods that will revolutionise the way we build boats in the future, says Håvard Tvedte, Head of Communications and Public Affairs of Maritime CleanTech, the cluster organisation who initiated the EU-funded TrAM-project.

Whilst the vessel was put on the sea earlier this year, the project has been long in the making.

The partner discussions started back in 2016, and two years later 13 European partners were awarded funding from the EU H2020 program. The vessel construction began last spring, at Fjellstrand Yard in Hardanger. At 31 meters long and nine meters wide, Medstraum can carry approximately 150 passengers. Fitted with two electrical engines and a battery with 1,5 MWh capacity she is designed for a service speed of 23 knots. Made for sustainable, soundless, and smooth sailing, the vessel was given the very suitable Norwegian name Medstraum.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 769303.

The world’s first battery-only high-speed craft, MS Medstraum has been awarded Ship of The Year. Ship builders Fjellstrand Verft and shipowners Kolumbus, a Norwegian public transport company, received the price at an official ceremony at SMM Hamburg on Tuesday 6^th of September. 

Ship of The Year, Medstraum, will soon start operating a multi-stop commuter route in Rogaland, Norway. This pilot vessel is a result of the EU-funded TrAM project, instigated by Maritime CleanTech, led by Kolumbus, and partly funded by Rogaland County Council. The TrAM project aimed to develop a zero-emission fast-going passenger vessel through advanced modular production. 

 – It is a great honour to receive this award for “Medstraum”, the world’s first fully electric express ferry. I am proud that we, together with Kolumbus, all the partners and Fjellstrand have succeeded in building a fantastic vessel that will mean so much for those depending on her to get them to work, school and holidays, County Mayor of Rogaland, Marianne Chesak, said under the ceremony.  

Annual award  

Ship of The Year is an annual award handed out by Norwegian shipping magazine, Skipsrevyen. Their readers suggest candidates for the prize before a jury makes the final decision. The aim is to honour a shipbuilder, a ship owner, and their design for setting a new standard within green shipping.  

– Ship of the Year 2022 goes to a vessel that not only offers many technical innovations but also has great transfer value to other vessels in this group, as well as in the maritime sector in general, Skipsrevyen states in their press release.  

– Medstraum is historic as the first battery-only vessel to pass the magical 23 knots limit, which is required to be classed as a high-speed craft. In this case, it has been done by good margin. During tests, the vessel has achieved a speed of 27 knots, Skipsrevyen writes. 

Whilst traditional fast ferries running on fossil fuels are known for being highly polluting, Medstraum will vastly improve the carbon footprint of its owners, Kolumbus, a public transport company. 

– Medstraum will cut our emissions by 1500 tonnes a year, despite operating on our least energy-demanding route. That’s the equivalent of 60 buses, Project Manager at Kolumbus, Mikal Dahle, says.  

Revolutionary modularisation 

The vessel is also revolutionary in terms of simplified design and using unique modular manufacturing methods at the Norwegian shipyard, Fjellstrand, drawing on Fraunhofer IEM’s experiences in modular production techniques from the car and aviation industries. Modularisation helps cut both production and engineering costs and will contribute to making electric-powered high-speed vessels competitive in terms of cost and the environment.  

– It’s been challenging building this ship, as it’s never been done before, but we’ve learned a lot. Fast ferries require a lot of energy, so we needed to make Medstraum lighter and a lot more efficient than traditional fast ferries. We’re very happy and proud to have accomplished that. It is revolutionary that a vessel of this size can operate at 23 knots for an entire hour by electricity alone, says Edmund Tolo, Head of Research and Development, at Fjellstrand AS.  

No fossil fuel backup 

The vessel is equipped with 2 x Corvus Dolphin Power Lithium battery systems for propulsion and hotel load. Medstraum is powered by batteries only – no fossil fuel backup. The batteries are arranged above the deck to enhance the safety of the systems and ensure easy access for maintenance. Wärtsila Marine has delivered the integration of batteries, propulsion, and electric onboard systems. 

A brand-new propulsion system 

In the project, the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and Hamburg Ship Model Basin (HSVA) have investigated hundreds of different hull forms to ensure that the TrAM project vessel will become as efficient as possible.  

Servogear has delivered a newly developed propulsion system, the Ecoflow el-flow system. This consists of a turning propeller, rudder, shaft, carbon brackets, gears, and propeller tunnel design. The delivery is based on standard solutions but optimized specifically for the hull, weight, and hydrodynamics of Medstraum. The fast ferry has a propulsion efficiency of around 80 percent, which is groundbreaking for this type of vessel. Measured against a standard solution with a water jet or fixed propeller on a similar hull, the energy saving is almost 30 percent.  

Light framed 

Leirvik AS manufactured the wheelhouse and passenger module in aluminum supplied by Hydro. When constructing a fast ferry, it is crucial to keep the weight as low as possible. Some of the aluminum structures used at Medstraum were down to a thickness of just 2 millimeters. Here, Leirvik used their expertise in building residential quarters in aluminum for use offshore, in new areas.  

Fjellstrand Shipyard in Omastrand, Norway, has built the aluminum hull, assembled the various modules, and equipped Medstraum. 

Exploiting the technologies in the market 

Ship of the year Medstraum will soon start operating a multi-stop commuter route in Rogaland, Norway. The TrAM project is also conducting studies on the possible use of technologies in River Thames, London, and on the canals in Belgium. 

Project partners: Maritime CleanTech (NO), Kolumbus (NO), Rogaland County Council (NO), Fjellstrand (NO), Leirvik (NO), Hydro (NO), Servogear (NO), Wärtsilä (NO), HSVA (NO), University of Strathclyde (GB), National Technical University of Athens (GR), Fraunhofer IEM (DE), Uber Boat by Thames Clippers (GB) and De Vlaamse Waterweg (NL). 

The paper “Implementation of Zero Emission Fast Shortsea Shipping (Medstraum)” by Evangelos Boulougouris, Apostolos Papanikolaou, Mikal Dahle, Edmund Tolo, Yan Xing-Kaeding, Christoph Jürgenhake, Tobias Seidenberg, Carolina Sachs, Craig Brown, and Frode Jenset is awarded the 2022 ABS Captain Joseph H. Linnard Prize for the best paper presented to the SNAME SMC2021 convention. The prize-ceremony will be held at this years SNAME SMC2022, 26-29 September.

Read the full article here.

MS Medstraum, the world’s first fully electric and zero-emission fast ferry, classed as a high-speed craft, has embarked on the journey from Fjellstrand shipyard to her new home port, Stavanger.

The vessel has been built using unique modular manufacturing methods at the Norwegian shipyard, Fjellstrand. Modularisation helps cut both production costs and engineering costs and will contribute to making electric-powered high-speed vessels competitive in terms of both cost and the environment. Whilst traditional fast ferries running on fossil fuels are known for being highly polluting, Medstraum will vastly improve the carbon footprint of its owners, Kolumbus, a public transport company.

– We are very happy to finally get this flagship delivered. Kolumbus aims to be at the forefront of adopting new and environmentally technology, Project Manager at Kolumbus, Mikal Dahle says. The company currently has ten fast ferries, some regular ferries, and 450 buses in operation. 

– Medstraum will cut our emissions by 1500 tonnes a year, despite operating on our least energy-demanding route. That’s the equivalent of 60 buses, Dahle says. In late summer the vessel will welcome passengers for scheduled operations between Stavanger and Homersåk.

Fast and efficient

– It’s been challenging building this ship, as it’s never been done before, but we’ve learned a lot. Fast ferries require a lot of energy so we needed to make Medstraum lighter and a lot more efficient than traditional fast ferries. We’re very happy and proud to have accomplished that. It is revolutionary that a vessel of this size can operate at 23 knots for an entire hour by electricity alone, says  Edmund Tolo,  head of research and development, at Fjellstrand AS.

From one groundbreaker to another

In 2015 The world’s first fully-electric ferry, Ampere, was built at the Fjellstrand shipyard in Hardanger, Norway. That marked the start of an electric revolution on Norwegian ferries. Now, only seven years later, there are approximately 70 emission-free ferries operating in Norway.

– Medstraum is already stirring great interest internationally. The maritime industry across the world is now looking at what we achieve in our maritime cluster. This could really be the start of a new adventure for our industry.  Not only have the project partners developed and demonstrated a new and emission-free propulsion system that can maintain higher speeds than before, we have also adopted completely new modular design- and construction methods that will revolutionise the way we build boats in the future, says Hege Økland, CEO of Maritime CleanTech, the cluster organisation who initiated the EU-funded TrAM-project, which resulted in Medstraum. The Norwegian industry partners were inspired by how cars, trains, and aircraft are built when constructing Medstraum.

The modular way of thinking is absolutely central to the project. This means that ships can be purpose-built by putting together finished modules, which can be built in different places. This will save both time and money in the design and construction phase. It will also make it easier to get more boats into the market faster. This way, we can reach future emission requirements faster, by replacing fossil fast ferries with electric ones, like Medstraum, Økland says.

MS MEDSTRAUM

• Will carry passengers between Stavanger, Byøyene, and Hommersåk for Kolumbus from late summer 2022.
• Cruising speed during operation: 23 knots
• Max speed: 27 knots
• Length: 30 meters. With: 9 meters.
• Battery capacity: 1524 kWh (Corvus Energy)
• Electric engines: 2×550 kW
• Charge capacity: 2,3 MW
• This pilot vessel is a result of the EU-funded TrAM-project, and is partly funded by  Rogaland County Council.
• Project partners: Maritime CleanTech (NO), Kolumbus (NO), Rogaland County Council (NO), Fjellstrand (NO), Leirvik (NO), Hydro (NO), Servogear (NO), Wärtsilä (NO), HSVA (NO), University of Strathclyde (GB), National Technical University of Athens (GR), Fraunhofer IEM (DE), Uber Boat by Thames Clippers (GB) and De Vlaamse Waterweg (NL).

The TrAM -project presented by the Project Manager from Kolumbus, Mikal Dahle, and Maritime CleanTech’s Head of Communication, Håvard Tvedte, made a large crowd gather around the stage. Medstraum is due to be officially christened in June this year and will carry passengers between Stavanger and Hommersåk this summer if all goes to plan.

– Medstraum has come a long way while the world has been in lockdown. It was great to finally present the project to a live audience. We can’t wait for the actual launch in just a few months, Tvedte says.

The EU-funded TrAM project has developed a zero-emission fast-going passenger vessel through advanced modular production. New manufacturing methods will contribute to lower production costs and lower engineering costs. The project is revolutionary both in terms of zero-emission technology and manufacturing methods and will contribute to making electric-powered high-speed vessels competitive in terms of both cost and the environment.

Nor-Shipping is the meeting place for globally leading maritime players, technology innovators, investors, and all the stakeholders interested in realising ocean opportunities. As an international arena for building cross-industry collaboration, it was very important to share our project’s achievements with experts in the field.

Pictured: Torleif Stokke (Servogear), Yan Xing-Kaeding (HSVA) and Geroge N. Zaraphonitis (NTUA) and the other project partners met in Athens last week.

HSVA is one of the 13 partners in the EU-funded TrAM project. Preparing the design and the construction start of the world´s first zero-emission fast ferry, HSVA carried out extensive numerical and experimental studies of the hull and the propulsion system. 

–  An essential constraint for the success of the TrAM project is that the developed pure electric-powered vessel should be a high-speed zero-emission passenger vessel, and competitive in terms of offered services to conventional vessels. It´s crucial that the vessel has a very low environmental footprint and sustainable life-cycle cost, says Senior Researcher and Project Manager at HSVA, Dr.-Ing. Yan Xing-Kaeding. 

Super-efficient design
HSVA is responsible for the hydrodynamic design of the Stavanger demonstrator vessel, Medstraum, in collaboration with NTUA and Servogear. Numerous numerical and experimental studies have been carried out to ensure the vessel’s efficiency, and that Medstraum meets environmental concerns and regulations.  

– To achieve high speeds for any type of vessel, it´s vitally important to conduct a hydrodynamic optimization of the ship’s hull form, and its propulsion systems. Even more for fast-going catamarans. The very high achieved propulsive efficiency on Medstraum, of about 80%, is an essential characteristic for the feasibility of the vessel´s concept. This is because of the design constraint set by the weight of the batteries being the only source of the onboard energy, says Xing-Kaeding. 

Extensive studies
Together with project partner National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), HSVA has analyzed 1.000 different hull forms utilizing a considerable amount of computer resources. Parameters such as ship’s dimension, hull form, resistance, radiated waves, required powering, and many more, were thoroughly investigated to ensure Medstraum became as efficient as possible. Project partner Servogear developed the Medstraum’s propulsion system and initial aft ship hull form with their in-house propeller tunnel design, and the joint optimization of its interaction with the vessel’s hull form showed a superior propulsive efficiency, more than 10 percent, compared to other best-performing propulsion systems.   

After performing numerous simulations of the different hull variations and propulsive arrangements, the final hull form and the propulsive system were verified by calm water resistance and self-propulsion tests at HSVA’s large towing tank in Hamburg.   

A 5.34-meter-long catamaran model (scale 1:5.6), fully equipped with propellers, shafts, brackets and rudders, was made to enable a firm prediction of the speed-power performance of the full-scale ship under trial conditions.   

– It was verified that the propulsive efficiency of the optimized catamaran reached about 80% at the design speed, which is a remarkable result! Achieved results allowed the operator and the shipyard to proceed to the final selection of battery capacity and electric motors’ power for the desired speed profile of the Stavanger demonstrator, Xing-Kaeding, says. 

– The tests done at HSVA were crucial for the TrAM project. The achieved vessel’s superior hydrodynamic results are the merit of several of the project partners, but the experimental verification provided by HSVA has helped us confirm Medstraum as a very energy-efficient vessel, says Project Manager Mikal Dahle of Kolumbus. 

About the TrAM project
The TrAM consortium includes 13 European partners and is coordinated by Rogaland City Council (NO) through its independent mobility services company Kolumbus (NO) which will also own and operate the demonstration vessel. The demonstrator is designed and will be built by Fjellstrand shipyard (NO) with an energy system provided by Wärtsilä (NO) and a propulsion system by Servogear (NO). Vessel modules will be delivered by Leirvik (NO) with aluminum supplied by Hydro Extrusion Norway (NO). Fraunhofer (D) leads the work in adapting modularity models from the automotive and aviation industry to the needs of the maritime industry, in addition to smart city integration. University of Strathclyde (UK), National Technical University of Athens (GR), and HSVA (D) are consortium members responsible for R&D, simulation, and testing. Dissemination activities are provided by NCE Maritime CleanTech (NO) and owners of the replicator cases are Uber Boat by Thames Clippers (UK) and De Vlamsee Waterveg NV (B). 

The TrAM H2020 project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 769303.

TrAM project reaches new important milestone as the wheelhouse and passenger module set sails from Leirvik yard to Fjellstrand yard.

TrAM project partner Leirvik started to work on the wheelhouse and passenger module in May. Tuesday both modules were finalized and shipped from Stord to Fjellstrand yard´s headquarters in Omastrand. Here, the modules will be installed on the hull.

– Leirvik aims to be a significant contributor to the green shift. That is why the TrAM project is a good opportunity for us to show how our experience, built up through many deliverables to the oil and gas sector, can be valuable for new green solutions. The project also gives us the opportunity to collaborate with other partners, to find better solutions for the climate challenges ahead, says Leirvik´s project leader Alfred Gregersen.

Lighter than usual

Even though Leirvik is experts within aluminum structures, they had to use all their skills in the production of the Medstraum modules.

– Usually, we make much thicker structures. When constructing a fast ferry, it is crucial to keep the weight as low as possible. Where we usually produce structures up to 80 millimeters thick, parts on Medstraum are as thin as 2 millimeters. That makes the whole process much more delicate. This has been an exciting learning experience for us, Gregersen says.

Prepared for transport, the passenger and wheelhouse module for Medstraum weighed in at only 8,245 kilograms.

Parts of the vessel are also welded using high-tech robots.

– Robot welding is something we believe in. We have chosen to use robots in production as an important step towards new green markets. Getting better at automation will be an important pillar in the green transition we are now going through, says CEO at Leirvik AS, Helge Gjøsæter.

First modularized vessel

TrAM is also revolutionary in terms of simplified design and manufacturing of the future vessels, drawing on Fraunhofer IEM’s experiences in modular production techniques from the car and aviation industries. Using advanced modularization, the project aims to lower production costs and engineering hours for electric fast ferries by 25% and 70%, respectively, which will significantly enhance their competitiveness.

Simply put, modularization is a design-phase concept for handling internal complexity while allowing for external variety. Modular architecture enables individual modules to be combined so that subsequent vessels can be adapted to specific customer requirements. Reusing modules also allows for faster development and production.

– Increased automation, more efficient use of materials, shorter construction time and lower labour costs together represent a new chapter in shipbuilding while increasing the competitiveness of all stakeholders,” says TrAM Project Manager Mikal Dahle at Kolumbus.

Medstraum will operate a multi-stop commuter route into Stavanger, Norway for public transport company Kolumbus from 2022. The vessel has been designed for a service speed of 23 knots

About the TrAM project

The TrAM consortium includes 13 European partners, and is coordinated by Rogaland City Council (NO) through its independent mobility services company Kolumbus (NO) which will also own and operate the demonstrator vessel. The demonstrator is designed and will be built by Fjellstrand shipyard (NO) with energy system provided by Wärtsilä (NO) and propulsion system by Servogear (NO). Vessel modules will be delivered by Leirvik (NO) with aluminium supplied by Hydro Extrusion Norway (NO). Fraunhofer (D) leads the work in adapting modularity models from the automotive and aviation industry to the needs of the maritime industry, in addition to smart city integration. University of Strathclyde (UK), National Technical University of Athens (GR) and HSVA (D) are consortium members responsible for R&D, simulation and testing. Dissemination activities are provided by NCE Maritime CleanTech (NO) and owners of the replicator cases are Uber Boat by Thames Clippers (UK) and De Vlamsee Waterveg NV (B). 

The TrAM H2020 project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 769303.