Damen hands over Germany’s first fully electric ferry

On January 15th, Damen Shipyards delivered Germany’s first all-electric catamaran (E-Kat) ferry to German shipping company AG Reederei Norden-Frisia. Built at the Damen shipyards in Poland and the Netherlands, the Frisia E-I is driven by two propellers, each powered by a 600-kW electric motor. It also includes two electrically driven 75-kW bow thrusters.

The Frisia E-I is driven by two propellers, each powered by a 600-kW electric motor. (Photo: Damen Shipyards)

The 32-meter vessel is capable of transporting up to 150 passengers. It will operate between Norddeich and Norderney on the East Frisian Wadden Sea on a 30-minute route with 28 minutes allowed at each end to disembark and embark passengers.

Given the shallow waterways in which it will operate, the Frisia E-I has been designed with twin hulls giving it a draught of just 1.2 meters. The aluminum hulls together with its aluminum superstructure keep the vessel’s weight to a minimum, enabling it to operate at speeds of up to 12 knots (19 knots maximum).

AG Reederei Norden-Frisia noted that the E-Kat ferry is part of a wider program to achieve zero emissions. It will be CO2 neutral when operating and the electricity that charges its batteries will come from onshore solar panels. The necessary charging infrastructure has already been installed and tested.

Joschka Böddeling, sales manager at Damen Shipyards, described the E-Kat as “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,” he continued. “It has been built to the highest standards and we have no doubt that it will serve for many years to come.”