The rise of e-ferries
FROM the coast of Norway to the south of Germany, battery electric ferries have begun making their mark on several tourist hotspots in Europe, raising hopes of climate-neutral travel in future.
After Norway’s west coast launched “the world’s first zero emission fast ferry” in July, Germany has since seen the addition of at least two new electric passenger ferries in the second half of 2022.
Proponents of electric ferries say that in addition to producing no local emissions, the use of battery power also contributes to the reduction of noise pollution, a known factor in the rise of high blood pressure, and thereby risking premature death.
Norway, which has been operating a larger and slower electric car ferry since 2015, now also has a faster battery electric running passengers between Stavanger city and the remote Hommersak village.
After Germany’s northern port city of Kiel launched a partially solar-powered passenger e-ferry, the country’s southern Lake Constance gained its first e-ferry in September to bring tourists to the gardens of the lake’s Mainau Island.
Stockholm is meanwhile planning the use of an electric ferry to supplement the city’s public transportation system and shuttle tourists and commuters across the city.
However, as in many industries, development of electric ferries has been hit by supply chain problems as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The first welcome trips of the Lake Constance ferry had been planned for mid-july. However, according to operators, this was delayed by two months due to the war.
The 300-passenger ship, which cost €3.6mil (Rm16mil), has a 1,000kwh battery that is charged during the lunch break and at night. To save energy, the ship travels at 15kmph in the water.
With the e-ferry, operators say they want to pave the way for more environmentally friendly shipping on Lake Constance (which borders Germany, Austria and Switzerland).
If the “Insel Mainau” e-ferry proves itself in service by the end of 2023, the lake’s Bodensee Schiffsbetriebe shipping operators plan to commission another electric ferry of the same design. The sister ferry could then go into operation in 2025.
In the spring of 2023, test runs are also planned for another ferry that could be operated in a climate-neutral manner using bio-liquid gas. – dpa