UK design firm conducts first sea trials of trimaran ferry demonstrator

UK naval architecture firm Chartwell Marine has completed the initial sea trials of a new trimaran fast ferry demonstrator.

The electric trimaran vessel, developed in partnership with Southampton Solent University and Newcastle Marine Services, has concluded initial sea trials in Southampton.

The trials followed what Chartwell Marine said was the demonstrator's "successful on-time, on-budget launch," in March.

According to Chartwell Marine, the sea trials revealed that the demonstrator is five times more affordable to run compared to an equivalent fossil fuel-powered monohull vessel of the same size and displacement.

The company said the trials highlighted the suitability of the electric trimaran for inland and inshore waterway ferry operations, such as in the Solent and other categorised waters across the UK.

The project was part-funded by a £1.86 million (US$2.51 million) grant via a UK Department for Transport initiative delivered by UK Research and Innovation.

"The sea trial results clearly show that a trimaran, coupled with electric propulsion systems, will provide an efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly solution for the ferry industry," said Andy Page, Managing Director at Chartwell Marine.

The demonstrator combined a lightweight trimaran hull with electric propulsion. Chartwell Marine said its enhanced stability, made possible by the trimaran configuration and foil-mounted electric motors positioned widely on the foil, "offers a simple, robust design, using commercial off the shelf equipment that has the potential to meet the demands of day-to-day commercial operations."