Korea to begin operations of electric car ferry in 2025

[Courtesy of Korea Institute of Marine Science & Technology promotion]

South Korea will begin operations of its first all-electric car ferry in 2025 after completing a demonstration this year, according to Kim Young-sik, head of the Center for Eco-Fuel Propulsion at Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO).

“The development of the electric-powered car ferry is complete and is currently in the final stages of testing,” Kim told Maeil Business Newspaper in May when a reporter visited the Sapjin Industrial Complex in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province. “Once in operations, it will shed the label of ships as major polluters and contribute to achieving carbon neutrality.”

This electric car ferry, developed since 2020 with an investment of about 26 billion won ($18.86 million), is referred to as an electric car on the sea because it can carry both passengers and vehicles.

The ferry, weighing 420 tons, is 60 meters long and 13 meters wide and can carry 120 passengers and 20 vehicles, with a total capacity exceeding 600 tons.

Its most notable feature is that it runs on electric power. It is equipped with two fixed batteries with a capacity of 250 kilowatt hours (kwh) and two mobile batteries with a capacity of 800 kwh on trucks.

These batteries, supplied by SK on Co, allow the vessel to reach a maximum speed of 12 knots (22.22 kilometers per hour). The mobile batteries can be replaced, eliminating the need for the ferry to dock for recharging.

The electric car ferry began its test operations in May 2023 and completed its 26th voyage in late May 2024.

The noise level of the electric ferry is measured to be an average of 10 decibels lower than that of conventional ferries.

“Normally, vessels’ engine rooms are so noisy that conversation is impossible, but the electric ferry has no loud engine noise or vibration, so there is less motion sickness for passengers,” Kim said.

Electric ships are a trend in global ship development due to their environmental benefits, as carbon dioxide emissions from ships have been blamed for contributing to global warming.

According to a report by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), carbon dioxide emissions from ship operations account for 3.3 percent of global emissions.

Electric ships, however, emit no carbon dioxide. Commercial operation of electric ships is mainly being conducted in Europe.

Korea has also promoted the development of electric ships. Fifteen institutions from academia, industry, and research are engaged in their development under the KRISO’s leadership.

“The localization rate of the developed electric car ferry is about 90 percent,” Kim said. “We have domestically developed all key technologies, such as the motor and propeller.”

The electric ferry can travel up to 30 kilometers. The research team aims to start by serving islands near Mokpo Port.

The research team is optimistic about the smooth introduction of the electric ferry, citing its environmental benefits and economic efficiency. The electric ferry incurs electricity costs of about 160,000 won for a 30 km operation, whereas a conventional diesel engine ferry incurs fuel costs of approximately 2 million won.

The team also aims to replace all existing car ferries nationwide with electric ships. It foresees that once the ferry is put in operation, it will obtain foundational data to further improve the operational efficiency of electric ferries.

It also expects that the pace of battery development will accelerate, making it possible to develop an electric ferry capable of traveling from Mokpo to Jeju Island within 3 to 4 years.

“Research and development of eco-friendly ships is essential to realizing carbon neutrality,” said Oh Un-yeol, head of the Korea Institute of Marine Science & Technology Promotion. “We will continue to support the commercialization of electric-powered ferries.”