Germany’s first all-electric ferry delivered

Dutch Damen Shipyards Group has handed over Germany’s first, all-electric catamaran (E-Kat) ferry to shipping company AG Reederei Norden-Frisia.

As informed, the newbuild was delivered on January 15, 2025, and it was transferred from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to Norddeich, Germany, on January 22.

Firstly, the ship was towed from Rotterdam to Borkum island in the North Sea. From there, the ferry reached the island of Norderney and then Norddeich under its own power and purely electrically powered.

Capable of accomodating up to 150 passengers, the vessel will operate between Norddeich and Norderney on the East Frisian Wadden Sea.

The 32-meter catamaran, which recently completed its acceptance trials, has been designed to operate on a 30-minute route with 28 minutes allowed at each end to disembark and embark passengers. Starting in the peak season, the newbuild will travel around eight times a day to Norderney and back, CO2-free.

Built at Damen shipyards in Poland and the Netherlands, the vessel is driven by two propellers, each powered by a 600kW electric motor.

Given the shallow waterways in which it will operate, it has been designed with twin hulls giving it a draught of just 1.2 meters. These aluminium hulls together with a superstructure, also made of aluminium, ensure that weight has been kept to a minimum, enabling it to operate at speeds of up to 12 knots.

The E-Kat ferry is said to be part of a wider program of AG Reederei Norden-Frisia to achieve zero emissions. The vessel will be CO2-neutral when operating and the electricity that charges its batteries will come from onshore solar panels.

“The E-Kat is a very special ferry. We are delighted that it has been delivered and look forward to seeing it in operation once the summer season gets underway. It has been built to the highest standards and we have no doubt that it will serve for many years to come,” Joschka Böddeling, Sales Manager at Damen Shipyards, said.