Charging infrastructure enables fully electric ferries
September 30, 2024By Seawork Press FP
Damen Shipyards
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Damen has signed a contract with the City of Toronto in Canada for the delivery of two ferries.
The fully electric vessels will provide a major boost to sustainability in the region. They will operate between the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal in downtown Toronto and the Toronto Islands, a major tourist destination, located in a high traffic area close to the shores of Lake Ontario. Damen is building the Toronto Ferries at its Galati yard in Romania, to a design produced by Quebec-based Concept Naval.
The ferries will be 50 metres long with a maximum beam of 13 metres. One of the vessels will transport passengers and vehicles, and the other passengers and bicycles.
"We chose Damen for this new building project due to their outstanding track record," said a City of Toronto spokesperson. "After a comprehensive RFP process, Damen emerged as the top-ranked supplier, excelling in critical areas such as experience, operational capabilities, engineering expertise and competitive pricing."
Damen’s Product Director Ferries Henk Grunstra says, “The City of Toronto is taking a big step forward for reduced emissions public transport with these new ferries. Fully electric vessels represent an ideal solution for a short route such as this one, within easy reach of charging infrastructure. We are looking forward to the construction of these ferries and to a successful collaboration with the City of Toronto and Concept Naval.”
The Toronto Ferries will be the 23rd and 24th ferries that Damen has delivered to Canada in the last ten years.
