Skip to content

News

Shipping and maritime

Green Shipping

Sustainable fuels

Denmark’s first all-electric ferry embarks on its maiden voyage

Although other ferries in Denmark are using electricity, Ellen is the first that does not have a diesel engine in reserve. There are only batteries in the engine room.

The ferry can accommodate 200 passengers, 31 passenger cars or 4 trucks and 8 passenger cars.

-Related solution: The world's most powerful electrical ferry

Ellen is in many ways a pioneer in her field, especially because of her sailing range. The ferry can sail up to 22 nautical miles between each charge, which is 7 times longer than previously possible for an electric ferry.

The operators estimate the electric ferry will save over 2,000 tons of CO2 per year in its operation.

Part of the E-ferry project

The maiden voyage takes place four years after the electric ferry project, E-ferry, was launched with the aim of designing, building and testing a 100 per cent electric ferry for passengers and cars, trucks and other cargo.

The goal of the project is to promote energy-efficient, CO2-neutral and pollution-free maritime transportation on island routes and in coastal waters in and outside Europe.
Danfoss Editron is one of nine partners in the EU-funded E-ferry project, and the company has contributed with the ship's electric motors as well as the charging system.

-Related solution: Danfoss powers Asia's first E-ferry in Taiwan

More electric ferries to set sail in the near future

It has taken two years to build Ellen, and there have been several issues with the development along the way. However, the Director of Søby Shipyard, Roar C. Falkenberg, believes that the development can provide useful knowledge for the future.

- We believe that electric ferries are the future and we have tremendous knowledge now. So we feel well equipped for the coming years and the development of battery operation on ferries, he said to DR.

At the industry association DanishShipping, the Executive Director for Politics an Analysis Jacob Clasen is also enthusiastic.

- We want as eco-friendly ferry routes as possible, and now we see a ferry that actually works. It inspires others and can make more people follow, he said to DR.

According to Jacob Clasen, we will see more electric ferries within the next five years.

- I have no doubt that we will see more electric ferries in the near future. Both when older ferries need to be replaced, but also when investing in new ones, he said to DR.

Source: DR, TV2

Photo: Søfart.dk

You should consider reading

Green Shipping
Shipping and maritime
Sustainable fuels

events

Green hydrogen

+15

World Hydrogen Week 2024

24 March 2024
On 30 September to 4 October, Denmark will open its gates to hydrogen experts from across the world as World Hydrogen Week comes to town. Striving to foster collaboration through in-depth discussions, networking opportunities, and presentations of cutting-edge technologies, World Hydrogen Week serve

events

Wind energy

+14

WindEurope 2025

24 March 2024
In 2025, the WindEurope Annual Event will once again return to Denmark as policy-makers, ministers, experts and professionals from the entire wind industry gather in Bella Centeret in Copenhagen from 8-10 April. Dubbed by many as the “birthplace of wind energy”, Denmark and WindEurope will seek to c

News

Climate partnerships

+19

Climate ministers convene in Denmark to set the course towards COP29

11 March 2024
For the third year running, COP discussions get off to an early start at the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial. This year’s ministerial, hosted by Denmark in cooperation with the former and current COP presidencies of the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan, will prepare the path towards a successful COP29 in Baku.

News

Living labs

+61

Danish companies obtain the most green patents

16 January 2023
Known to be among the globe's most sustainable, Danish companies are number one in obtaining green patents in both Europe and the US over the past ten years.

News

Power-to-x

+11

Danish Power-to-X center will revolutionise materials for the green transition

3 January 2023
Danish foundations grant DKK 300 million to a pioneer centre for the development of materials and Power-to-X technologies for the green transition. The center brings together leading national and international researchers.

News

Job creation and transition

+101

Sound of Green, a podcast series with insights from Denmark’s green transition

27 January 2023
From managing cloudbursts to setting up climate partnerships, we examine how Denmark has turned acute climate challenges into new opportunities. In our podcast series Sound of Green, experts convey how Danish experiences can push the needle toward global green transition. Find it on Spotify, Apple Podcast and stateofgreen.com.