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Electrification Project

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Electrification Project

FFAW-Unifor and TriNav Marine Design launched a survey to identify candidates for retrofitting a commercial inshore fishing vessel with a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system. The retrofitted vessel will demonstrate reduced diesel reliance to other enterprise owners, supporting a larger federal submission for financial incentives to transition commercial fishing fleets.

The project aims to achieve 25-50% fuel/CO2 savings, aligning with Canada’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050. From 67 initial applicants, 10 candidates were shortlisted based on vessel specifications.

Once the retrofitting is completed, and outside of their fishing season, the candidate’s vessel will be used to demonstrate performance of the vessel with less reliance on diesel fuel to other enterprise owners around the province. This reporting will be the foundation for building a larger submission to federal government with other independent fisheries in Canada to put financial incentives, such as rebate programs, in place to help transition commercial fishing fleets.

Initially, the Marine Hybrid System from Man Engines was considered, but due to scheduling issues, FFAW and TriNav came to consider the Glas Ocean Electric’s Hymarine conversion kit. Glas Ocean Electric, based in Nova Scotia, previously conducted a feasibility study for FFAW and developed the Hymarine kit, which simplifies installation on commercial vessels.
Current Status and Next Steps:

July

FFAW applied for preliminary funding from the Green Transition Fund.

August

Glas Ocean Electric reviewed candidate information for compatibility.

September

Plans for installation observation and at-sea trials discussed.

October-November

Two best-suited candidates selected; Green Transition Fund application advanced; TriNav to collect data on power usage and fuel/CO2 reductions.

For more information, please contact Courtney Langille at clangille@ffaw.ca

Industry Relations

Dr. Erin Carruthers

Dr. Erin Carruthers is the Science Director and Senior Fisheries Scientist with the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor), which is the labour union that represents the owner-operator fleet in Newfoundland and Labrador. The FFAW is committed to research and management that supports healthy oceans, fisheries, and coastal communities. Dr. Carruthers received her Ph. D. in Biology from Memorial University in 2011 followed by a postdoctoral fellowship with the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research. Before coming to Newfoundland, Erin worked as a Research Biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada at the St. Andrews Biological Station. Her current research program is co-constructed with fish harvesters and includes research on coastal fishing communities, collaborative longline and trap surveys, and best practices for the avoidance, handling and release of unwanted catch.