• 4 min de lectura
• 4 min de lectura
ABB was selected as the technology partner for power, propulsion, and automation for two new Ro-Pax ferries, named Kupe and Cook, which are part of the Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme, a strategic infrastructure investment in New Zealand.
The company will supply the integrated systems necessary to ensure the reliability, efficiency, and environmental performance of both ferries. Built by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) shipyard, the units will be delivered to Ferry Holdings Limited, a New Zealand government entity, in 2029.
The vessels, 200 meters long and 28 meters wide, will operate in the challenging conditions of the Cook Strait (Te Moana o Raukawa, in Maori), at the confluence of the Tasman Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, covering the 92-kilometer crossing between Wellington and Picton, connecting the North and South Islands.
The ships will offer 63% more passenger capacity (1,530 people) and 44% more cargo capacity (2,400 linear meters) than their predecessors. The ferries are equipped for rail transport, allowing goods to be loaded directly onto the vessels, thus eliminating multiple cargo handling steps during inter-island transfers.
Crucial for the national economy, these ships will also offer high fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and reduced underwater radiated noise (URN), in line with the world's most innovative ferry projects. The reduction of URN has been a priority to help protect marine life in the Marlborough Sounds, as recognized by the DNV Silent-E classification.
"These ferries represent a key investment in New Zealand's transport infrastructure. The choice of ABB gives us the assurance that we will deliver vessels with top-tier power, propulsion, and automation technology. These systems are designed for the demanding conditions of the Cook Strait and built to minimize environmental impact throughout their lifecycle," said Massimo Soprano, Vessel Programme Director at Ferry Holdings Limited.
"Growing up on the shores of Lyall Bay in Wellington, I watched the ferries sail into the Cook Strait in all kinds of conditions – wind, waves, and everything else. That image stuck with me. That personal connection makes it even more significant to now be part of developing vessels that will transform that crossing. They are quieter, cleaner, more reliable, and designed for New Zealand's next 30 years of growth," stated Palemia Field, Global Segment Manager for Ferries at ABB's Marine & Ports Division.
Combining efficiency and environmental responsibility, the vessel specifications include a hybrid-electric propulsion and power system that can be used with any type of fuel.
The installed 8.2 MWh battery energy storage system will allow for near-zero emission port operations or a 10-minute power reserve. The power architecture also allows the battery energy storage system (BESS) to be expanded up to 12.3 MWh, with additional capacity to integrate with shore charging technologies when available.
ABB's supply includes four main alternators, as well as motors and drives for the three bow thrusters. Two Azipod propulsion units replace the traditional propeller shafts, rudders, and stern thrusters of previous ferries, offering superior efficiency and quieter, smoother navigation.
This represents a significant improvement for passengers crossing the Cook Strait, known for its difficult and unpredictable conditions, strong tides, and rough seas. The gearless, 360° steering Azipod units also provide the vessels with greater maneuverability.
The vessels will be able to navigate at low speed (2 knots) with 40-knot winds from any direction, far exceeding what the current fleet can achieve during entries and exits from the ports of Wellington and Picton.
At the heart of the vessels' power architecture is ABB's PEMS energy management system, the "smart brain" that continuously balances power between generators, the battery storage system, propulsion, and auxiliary loads.
Instead of managing them as separate systems, PEMS treats them as an integrated whole, automatically optimizing fuel consumption, enabling battery-only port operations, and maintaining continuity of power supply in the event of a failure. This level of integration and inherent resilience ensures unparalleled operational reliability. PEMS has demonstrated this capability in multiple ABB ferry projects worldwide.
The system will be complemented by the ABB Ability remote diagnostic system (RDS) for continuous 24/7 monitoring and access to ABB's global network of experts. This digital solution enables predictive maintenance, faster troubleshooting, and real-time operational analysis, helping operators improve vessel availability, reduce lifecycle costs, and ensure safe and efficient operations.
For ferries, which are at the core of New Zealand's freight and passenger transport network, where an unforeseen disruption would have direct consequences for schedules, affecting rail connections and thousands of travelers, the ability to remotely detect and resolve problems before they cause failures is a true differentiator in operations.