Welcome electric. Welcome fast charging.

  • Overview
  • Our approach
  • Contact our experts
  • Cases
  • Products
  • Learn more

Welcome efficiency. Welcome electric.

Maritime transport emits more than 900 million tons of CO2 annually and is responsible for approximately 2.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Electrification is the way forward for short sea and inland shipping in harbors, rivers, and fjords. In transitioning vessels from diesel to pure electric power, powerful onshore support is essential, in the form of reliable infrastructure for rapid charging capacity and stable grid supply.

The Hareid-Sulesund electric ferry "Suloey", Norway

Recharging land and sea 

Electric vessels will be the preferred transport of tomorrow. To meet the demands this will put on charging solutions, fast charging needs to become economically viable and available on a mass scale. That way we can start to power a sustainable future. 

Multi-MW charging for reliably fast turnaround

Most of us are familiar with electric vehicle charging, and the same principles apply to fast vessel charging in the maritime industry, only on a larger scale. Fast charging is especially relevant for fully electric vessels, which are typically used in short-haul passenger ferries and cargo vessels such as the electric ferry “Suloey". Despite their small scale compared to huge container or cruise ships, the power needed to rapidly charge ferries is in the multi-MW range. For successful ferry electrification, it’s therefore critical to master both grid performance and the charging process.

Our approach

Molslinjen's electric ferry "Grotte", based in Esbjerg, Denmark

High performance, low complexity 

At Danfoss Drives, we have the application expertise and the power converters to deliver fast charging without compromise on performance or scalability. The highest possible power density and efficiency, paired with compact and lightweight construction, allow a flexible integration into vessel machine rooms and fast vessel chargers. And with an independent approach to systems, we enable you to design the best system possible with low complexity.  With extensive expertise in marine, we tailor the solution to your specific needs, so you get fast charging with maximum performance and reliability for any type of vessel. 

With Danfoss Drives products converting energy from the grid to battery and vice versa if needed, batteries can be charged with optimal speed and with high efficiency. Our scope of supply is the power conversion equipment, typically with smart grid control functions. A typical example is the system designed for the electric ferry ”Grotte”, based in Esbjerg, Denmark.

What are the benefits of mastering grid stability for reliable fast charging? In short, you get more, for less.

 

Reduce or defer capital expenses (CAPEX)
By actively controlling, monitoring and supporting the grid from local batteries on shore you can achieve the high peak power crucial to fast charging without investing in grid infrastructure. This is done by using local batteries with peak shaving functionality. Peak shaving involves optimizing the energy flow between the incoming supply and local storage to meet spikes in demand without disrupting the supply grid. Excess energy can be stored when demand and costs are low.

Reduce operating expenses (OPEX) 
Draw upon green electricity to power the vessels. When this green energy is produced and consumed locally, the OPEX is minimized.

In Nærøyfjord, Norway, the local mains grid does not have sufficient capacity to charge the ferry "Future of The Fjords" directly. Instead, the vessel recharges its battery at the PowerDock, a floating fiberglass dock with 2.4 MWh charging capacity: 1.2 MWh sourced from a battery pack and 1.2 MWh from the grid.

The world’s first floating power dock charges the "Future of the Fjords" electric catamaran in Nærøyfjord, Norway

Contact our experts

Are you ready to accelerate your electrification journey? Our fast-charging expert, Wouter Wolters, is ready to get in touch with you and have an informal discussion. 

Ask our experts

Cases
Future of the Fjords meets 2026 emission targets, today

Future of the Fjords represents a new standard of environmentally responsible fjord tourism, as the first fully electric carbon fiber vessel in the world. 
Where smart ferry charging begins with a smart grid

The Hareid-Sulesund ferry operator has reduced CO2 emissions by 7000 tonnes annually with the introduction of electric vessels.
Danfoss powers new electric ferry sailing World Heritage waters

Every year, the first fully commercial electric ferry in Denmark shuttles 1.8 million passengers across a 4 km strait. The future holds big potential to operate shorter routes using electric ferries.

Hybrid ferry in Amsterdam full of passengers approaching the dock
Hybrid ferries connect the city of Amsterdam nonstop

On Amsterdam’s IJ River, hybrid ferries powered by VACON® drives enjoy 24/7 uptime, smaller generator size, improved air quality, less noise and easy maneuverability.

Venoe ferry docked
Battery retrofit not only saves fuel but improves air quality

As the first in Denmark, the ferry’s electric equipment now runs primarily on battery power, connecting to a shore power supply to recharge batteries between trips. The 2016 conversion from pure diesel to hybrid operation has reduced diesel consumption by 20,000 l annually – from 90,000 l to 70,000 l.

Hybrid vessel on the lake at Krka National Park
Solar-powered river tours protect Krka National Park

To protect the pristine environment during tours, the Krka National Park commissioned two hybrid e-vessels designed for a capacity of 50 passengers each. The vessels are equipped with both solar PV panels and battery storage. When the sun shines, solar cells supply power to the propulsion. When the sun disappears, the propulsion runs on battery power. 

Products

Learn more about our product offering 

Learn more

Meeting the challenges

We are constantly overcoming new challenges to optimize performance and efficiency in marine electrification. Our maritime engineers are at the forefront of DC grid implementation, and know how to extract the extra energy saving benefits of combining DC grid, energy storage and/or variable speed generators. And the challenges? For instance, we have figured out how to provide the more sophisticated protection specially required for DC grids, supporting stable fast charging of vessels. 

Discover more about DC grids

Power conversion beyond EV charging - Navigating the zero-emission voyage

As well as fast vessel charging, Danfoss Drives supports decarbonization of the marine industry in diverse applications including shore supply and hybridization, using the benefits of peak shaving and time delay to use energy in the most competitive way possible. Throughout Danfoss Group, we also offer a broad range of energy efficiency technologies to support you in meeting climate targets.
Clean harbor air

How does shore supply help ports meet emission targets? We can help retrofit vessels for shore supply compatibility.
Hybridization for marine & beyond

Use different types of energy at the same time to bridge the gap between energy generation and consumption.

More ways to cut emissions

Reduce maritime emissions and boost performance with diverse marine and offshore solutions from Danfoss. 

Stay up to date with Danfoss Drives

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Use the DrivePro® Start-up service to get the best from iC7-Automation; } else if (isBigColumns) { Use the DrivePro® Start-up service to get the best from iC7-Automation } else { Use the DrivePro® Start-up service to get the best from iC7-Automation }
    iC7-Automation: Optimal commissioning ensures premium performance
    Wednesday, December 11, 2024

    Ensure correct installation and optimal operation of your drive. Use the DrivePro® Start-up service to get the best out of your Danfoss drive, now also iC7-Automation, fully utilizing all its features. At the same time, newly installed systems are up and running as quickly and effectively as possible.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { iC7-Automation with integrated OPC UA streamlines communication at all levels of operations, for better data security and ease of data management.; } else if (isBigColumns) { iC7-Automation with integrated OPC UA streamlines communication at all levels of operations, for better data security and ease of data management. } else { iC7-Automation with integrated OPC UA streamlines communication at all levels of operations, for better data security and ease of data management. }
    iC7-Automation: Empowering secure industry connectivity with OPC UA
    Thursday, November 28, 2024

    iC7-Automation is equipped with integrated OPC UA. In the world of industrial automation, OPC UA is a powerful protocol that offers many benefits for secure asset management, SCADA/HMI integration, and cloud connectivity.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { With the agreement, Danfoss Drives and Innomotics aim to increase competitiveness and provide customers with comprehensive product portfolio and services.; } else if (isBigColumns) { With the agreement, Danfoss Drives and Innomotics aim to increase competitiveness and provide customers with comprehensive product portfolio and services. } else { With the agreement, Danfoss Drives and Innomotics aim to increase competitiveness and provide customers with comprehensive product portfolio and services. }
    Global Leaders Danfoss Drives and Innomotics Combine Strengths to Enhance Customer Offering
    Wednesday, November 13, 2024

    Danfoss Drives A/S, a world-leading manufacturer of low-voltage drives, and Innomotics GmbH, a global leader in motors and medium-voltage drives, are pleased to announce their intention to enter into a cooperation.

Explore more