Designing for Electrified Ferry Terminals

As ferry fleets transition to electric propulsion, terminals must evolve into high-capacity energy hubs—capable of delivering megawatts of power in minutes, while maintaining safety, resilience, and operational flow. Designing for electrified ferry terminals means rethinking everything from grid connections to berth layouts, ensuring that vessels, passengers, and electrons move in harmony.

Why Electrified Terminals Are Unique

• High power, short dwell times: Ferries often require 1–5 MW of charging within 10–20 minutes.

• Grid constraints: Many terminals are in remote or legacy locations with limited utility capacity.

• Marine environment: Salt, humidity, and vibration demand ruggedized, corrosion-resistant systems.

Key Design Strategies

1. Grid Assessment and Reinforcement
   Begin with a utility coordination study. If grid capacity is insufficient, consider onshore battery energy storage systems (BESS) to buffer demand and enable load shifting.

2. High-Power Charging Infrastructure
   Use automated pantograph systems, plug-in connectors, or wireless pads rated for marine environments. Design for redundancy and future scalability.

3. Berth Layout and Cable Management
   Charging interfaces must align with vessel geometry. Include retractable cable reels, trench ducts, or articulated arms to manage high-voltage cables safely.

4. Energy Management Systems (EMS)
   Integrate EMS to coordinate ferry charging with terminal loads, solar generation, and battery storage. Enable peak shaving, demand response, and predictive scheduling.

5. Safety and Compliance
   Design with IP-rated enclosures, arc flash protection, emergency shutoffs, and marine-grade insulation. Follow IEC 61851-3, IEC 80005, and local maritime codes.

6. Passenger and Vehicle Flow Coordination
   Charging must not obstruct boarding or disembarkation. Use zoned marshalling areas, bollard protection, and visual indicators to separate energy and people flows.

7. Digital Twin and Simulation
   Model ferry schedules, energy demand, and grid interaction using digital twins. This supports resilience planning and real-time optimization.

A Field Insight

In one island terminal project, the ferry required 2.5 MW of charging within a 12-minute turnaround. The local grid could only supply 1 MW. The solution? A 3 MWh onshore battery charged during off-peak hours, paired with a smart EMS that coordinated ferry charging, terminal HVAC, and solar PV. The result: full electrification without grid upgrades—and a 40% reduction in peak demand charges.

Final Thoughts

Electrified ferry terminals are the linchpins of maritime decarbonization. They demand a fusion of marine engineering, power systems, and digital intelligence. When designed right, they don’t just charge vessels—they energize entire communities with cleaner, smarter infrastructure.