Torqeedo Powers Electric Passenger Vessels
Torqeedo is supplying electric propulsion systems for a fleet of 15 new passenger excursion boats recently delivered to Vinpearl’s newest resort development at Hoi An, Vietnam.
The nine-meter FRP displacement craft, built by Song Lo Shipbuilding in Nha Trang, are powered by Torqeedo Deep Blue 80 inboard electric motors with BMW i3 lithium batteries. “We are very happy with the performance of the Deep Blue system for these boats,” said Nguyen Van Thanh, Director of Song Lo Shipbuilding Company. “They are very quiet and provide a smooth ride. The installations and commissioning went very well, thanks to the excellent technical support we received from Torqeedo.”
Vinpearl is the largest hospitality group in Vietnam with a chain of luxury hotels, villas and theme parks across the country. The new boats are being deployed at Vinpearl Land Nam Hoi An, a massive 62.4-hectare theme park that opened April 28. The Torqeedo-powered boats are being used for sightseeing tours of the River Safari jungle habitat, as well as for entertainment in the replica Hoi An Old Town section of the park. The whisper-quiet electric boats allow guests to get close to the rare animals that live in the River Safari without disturbing their natural behavior.
“Vinpearl will achieve significantly lower operating costs by equipping the boats with electric motors instead of combustion engines, with zero fuel costs, lower maintenance requirements and an industry-leading capacity warranty,” said David Hunter, managing director, Torqeedo Asia Pacific Ltd. “Their guests will have a much more pleasant onboard experience as they cruise through the park, skimming silently through the water with no engine noise, no vibration and no exhaust fumes on deck.”
The boats operate at average speeds of three knots, ideal for sightseeing, according to Hunter.
Song Lo Shipbuilding is one of the largest builders of FRP powerboats in Vietnam. The company is known for building reliable, high-performance boats in the 8-20m range, and is the first choice for big customers like Vinpearl and other resorts and hospitality companies in Vietnam, according to Ta Minh-Hieu.
“We are seeing increasing demand for electric and hybrid boats in Asia,” said Hunter. “Across the region, fleet operators and government bodies are actively pursuing green technologies to reduce air and water pollution. We have a significant number of other marine electric mobility projects currently underway in China and Southeast Asia.”