VESSEL REVIEW | Shaoguandun 01 – Electric ferry to serve rural areas in China’s Fujian Province

Funing Heavy Industry, a subsidiary of China’s Fujian Shipbuilding, has delivered an electric inland ferry that will be operated in Guandun Village in the eastern portion of Shaowu City in Fujian Province. Shaoguandun 01 (邵官墩01) was designed by Fujian Shipbuilding R&D and Design Institute as a zero-emission alternative to boats that run on diesel and other conventional fuels, which could otherwise pollute the rivers where the new ferry will operate.

The vessel has an LOA of 9.9 metres (32 feet), a beam of 2.5 metres (8.2 feet), a design draught of 0.42 metre (1.38 feet), a depth of 0.8 metre (2.6 feet), and capacity for 10 passengers, making it ideal as a commuter platform. The electric propulsion system includes a CATL lithium iron phosphate 32.66kWh battery that can deliver a speed of six knots.

Improved battery safety for fewer downtimes

A full charge of the battery will enable the vessel to sail up to 13 kilometres (8.1 miles). The battery is also fitted with a temperature sensor with both monitoring and alarm features.

The battery utilises a multi-module design, which can match the system voltage and power requirements. When a module fails, the faulty module can be cut off independently to ensure the normal operation of the other module. At the same time, the battery pack design meets the protection level of IP67 or above, which implies reduced risk of damage caused by water vapour, salt spray, and dust.

Serving a vital inland route

Shaoguandun 01 will serve as the main means of transportation in Guandun Village, a rural area that consists of 200 households split between the two banks of Futun Creek. The newbuild replaces diesel-powered vessels that have served the region’s residents for 16 years.