ABB is to equip operator Tallink’s Megastar shuttle vessel with shore power connections to enable emission-free overnight layovers in the Port of Tallinn.
Fueled by low-emission liquefied natural gas, the Megastar makes three return journeys between the Estonian and Finnish capitals each day, with an overnight stay in Tallinn where it currently needs to keep generators running to ensure energy availability for onboard systems.
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, MyStar, is currently under construction in the Rauma Marine Constructions shipyard in Rauma, Finland, and will have the technology pre-fitted upon its delivery in 2022.
Both ferries will leverage the ABB shore power systems that were installed at the Old City Harbor in the Port of Tallinn in 2020. ABB notes that the plug-in solution was designed in compliance with international regulations. It automates the ship-to-shore connection process and offers 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 the shuttle ferry Megastar and our new-build 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 Harbor, to cut down harbor emissions and noise during overnight stays. This is another important step for Tallink Grupp toward achieving greener energy use and eco-friendliness for our shipping operations close to city centers. It will make a big difference to the local community in terms of minimizing noise and air pollution.”
Delivered by Finland’s Meyer Turku shipyard in 2017, Megastar carries up to 2,800 passengers and 646 cars at a time. 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 fiber and hardwired serial data communication. Megastar also features ABB’s propulsion motors, medium-voltage generators and thruster motors.
“The Baltic Sea is a global hub for sustainable shipping initiatives, and we are honored to support Tallink on its sustainability journey,” concluded Jyri Jusslin, head of service at ABB Marine & Ports. “Our shore connection solutions comprise onboard and shoreside infrastructure and will allow Tallink to reduce the overall impact of its operations and contribute toward a cleaner port environment in a historical part of Tallinn.”