Aoife McDowell

Columnist

Aoife McDowell

Sync NI

Innovation and Opportunities

The spotlight continues to shine brightly on Northern Ireland’s technology sector.

Artemis Technologies Unveils 100% Electric Passenger Ferry

Sensata’s New £16.5m Technology Centre Gets Thumbs Up

Artemis Technologies has unveiled the world’s most advanced 100% electric foiling fast ferry that will target the global highspeed passenger ferry market.

The green maritime leader has revealed the design of the new vessel, which will fi rst be operated by Condor Ferries in a Belfast to Bangor pilot scheme, carrying up to 150 passengers along Belfast Lough in just 25 minutes.

Developed by the Artemis Technologies-led Belfast Maritime Consortium, the launch of the 24-metre vessel to the global ferry market signals the latest stage in the £60 million programme to decarbonise maritime.

Building on the launch of the company’s 100% electric foiling workboat earlier this year, the ferry will be powered by the patented Artemis eFoiler® electric propulsion system enabling it to fl y above the water, reducing fuel costs by up to 85% compared with conventional high-speed diesel ferries.

By foiling over the waves at up to 38 knots, the ferry will produce minimal wake, allowing it to operate at high speed close to shore or within busy waterways, signifi cantly reducing journey time on traditionally speed-restricted routes and minimising disruption to shorelines.

The foiling ferry will be incredibly spacious and fully accessible with a range of facilities on board including bike racks, cabin bag and overhead storage, baby changing facilities and charging points, offering a pathway to greener maritime transport systems around the world.

Speaking about the ferry, Artemis Technologies CEO, double Olympic gold medallist Dr Iain Percy OBE, said: “The zeroemission ferry that will be seen departing Belfast in 2024, aptly named ‘Zero’, will be the fi rst we build at our manufacturing hub in the city, but it is only the start. This ferry will not only be the cheapest, but also the fastest and least disruptive way to decarbonise transport networks in water-based cities.”

Global industrial technology company Sensata Technologies is set to create a £16.5m state-of-the-art facility in Newtownabbey further bolstering the borough’s position as a stronghold for advanced manufacturing.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has approved the application for the 61,500 sq. ft development at Global Point Business Park, which is expected to create around 150 jobs during the construction phase.

The facility at Global Point will act as a regional hub within Europe and will accommodate up to 550 employees.

This new technology centre represents the latest in a portfolio of advanced manufacturing projects being lined up for Global Point, positioning it as an increasingly desirable location for global companies to set up shop in Northern Ireland.

Commenting on the centre, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman Stephen Ross, said: “Sensata’s decision to locate its new regional hub at Global Point represents the confi dence investors have in the borough. These strategic investments will act as an economic stimulus, attracting other companies to the area and cementing Global Point as a centre of advanced manufacturing excellence.”