The two fully electric double ended aluminium catamaran ferries that were designed for Dutch operator Riveer (municipality Gorinchem) by CoCo Yachts, named Altena VI and Gorinchem XII, entered service!
Henk Van Herwijnen, General Manager of CoCo Yachts: “CoCo Yachts started at the end of 2016 with the first sketches for Riveer after the first meetings. From the start, Riveer aimed for emission free transport over water. After intricate research we decided to go for fully electric based ferries on only batteries. The Altena VI and her sister Gorinchem XII are the first fully electric passenger ferries in the Netherlands! The vessels do not have diesel generators or diesel heaters to support the vessel. The electric power from the batteries powers the whole vessel including propulsion and auxiliaries!
CoCo Yachts has made several studies on the optimal hull design, using Cadence Design Systems CFD software. For this case we had to consider the shallow waters of the river the “Merwede”. This was reasonably new to model in CFD and to determine the accuracy of the results. The outcome of the speed trials, held on the Merwede, confirmed our calculations. This proves that CFD tools are very helpful when used properly.
To achieve the best efficiency, when sailing the required service speed with the shallow waters of the river, required a length of at least 35m. The vessels are reasonably long for only 100 passengers and 100 bicycles, but making the vessels shorter would increase energy consumption, and with that the weight and cost (purchase & life time).”
The Altena VI and Gorinchem XII charge their batteries a number of times during the day, charging enough to be able to sail on schedule during the day. At night the batteries are fully charged so the Altena VI and Gorinchem XII are ready to sail again the next day.
Bureau Veritas Group classed the vessels, and both vessels were built by Holland Shipyards Group. Veth Propulsion by Twin Disc delivered the VL-160-CR thrusters, powered by Danfoss PM electric motors, leading to a service speed of more than 14 knots.
 by CoCo Yachts, named Altena VI and Gorinchem XII, entered service!){kind=link}