New methodology to approach project of small hybrid propulsion passenger ferries for Italian scenario

In Italy there is a large fleet of passenger ferries, operating in special scenario: the main lakes in the northern region. All those ferries must deal with port structures, often of historical interest, and environmental situations extremely particular and requiring attention. The ferries operating in those areas have the need to offer great manouvrability, silent running, low emissions or no emissions at all. For all those aspects the hybrid propulsion, combining the use of diesel electric generators and batteries, offers the possibility to adopt efficient systems for manouvrability and propulsion, such as_azimuthal or azipodal propellers and battery packs to ensure silent approaching to the mooring facilities, and the possibility to stay at night in a port without generators working during the nocturnal stop, using a ship that can operate with almost complete silence and no pollution near the areas of interest. All the above are for sure the positive aspects that can be solved successfully by the hybrid propulsion, but the use of thus system, with electric generators, large pack of batteries, control system etc. has an impact on the project. The project and the design of the ship must deal with massive requirements from safety rules, and those requirements are changing faster than the construction progress, so the traditional approach at the project.