Technology firm ABB has supplied a shore connection solution to Estonian shipping company Tallink that will enable its Megastar shuttle vessel to plug into the local grid for quiet and emission-free overnight layovers in the Port of Tallinn.
Fuelled by low-emission liquefied natural gas, passenger and car ferry Megastar makes three return journeys between the Estonian and Finnish capitals per day, with an overnight stay in Tallinn where it needs to keep generators running to ensure energy availability for onboard systems.
With ABB’s shore connection solution, the vessel will be able to cover its energy needs in port by drawing on land-based power. Delivered by the Meyer Turku shipyard, Finland in 2017, Megastar carries up to 2,800 passengers and 646 cars at a time.
With commissioning due to take place in January 2022 while the ferry is in operation, Megastar will become the second vessel in the Tallink fleet to feature ABB’s shore connection solution. The second vessel is MyStar, currently under construction in Rauma Marine Constructions shipyard in Rauma, Finland, will have the technology pre-fitted upon its delivery in 2022.
Both ferries will leverage the ABB shore power systems installed at the Old City Harbor, Port of Tallinn in 2020. Designed in compliance with international regulations, the plug-in solution automates the ship-to-shore connection process and has been designed to offer a high level of safety and reliability.
“We are delighted to continue driving environmentally-friendly ferry operations across our fleet,” said Captain Tarvi-Carlos Tuulik, head of ship management at Tallink Grupp. “From next year, both shuttle ferry Megastar and our newbuilding MyStar – the most environmentally friendly vessel on the Baltic Sea – will be able to leverage the ABB shoreside infrastructure that already exists at the Port of Tallinn’s Old City Harbour, to cut down harbour emissions and noise during overnight stays.
“This is another important step for Tallink Grupp towards achieving greener energy use and eco-friendliness for our shipping operations close to city centers, and it will make a big difference to local community in terms of minimising noise and air pollution.”
ABB’s scope of supply for the retrofit includes switchboard, shore connection cabinet and a shore connection control board with three separate ship-to-shore communication links to safeguard against loss of connection – redundant Wi-Fi, optical fibre and hardwired serial data communication. Megastar also features ABB’s propulsion motors, medium voltage generators and thruster motors.
