Damen Shipyards Delivers Germany’s First All-Electric Ferry
Germany has introduced its first fully electric catamaran ferry, the E-Kat, constructed by Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Group.
Officially handed over to operator AG Reederei Norden-Frisia on January 15, 2025, the vessel will operate between Norddeich and Norderney in the East Frisian Wadden Sea, providing a sustainable passenger transport solution.
Measuring 32 meters in length, the E-Kat can accommodate up to 150 passengers and reach speeds of 12 knots. Its lightweight aluminum twin hulls and shallow 1.2-meter draft make it well-suited for the region’s waterways.
The ferry is powered by twin 600 kW electric motors driving propellers, complemented by two 75 kW electric bow thrusters for improved maneuverability. Designed for a 30-minute crossing, the vessel has a 28-minute turnaround time at each port for passenger boarding and disembarkation.
During this interval, it recharges its batteries via shore power connections. The battery system, developed by Dutch company EST-Floattech, utilizes Octopus High Energy technology with a maximum capacity of 1.8 MW.
A full charge enables a round trip of approximately 11 kilometers (7 miles), ensuring completely CO2-free operations. After its handover, the E-Kat was transported from Rotterdam, Netherlands, to Norddeich-Norden, Germany, on January 22, 2025.
The journey included towing the vessel to Germany’s Borkum Island before it continued to Norderney and Norddeich using its electric propulsion system.
The ferry successfully completed its acceptance trials, including full-power charging tests, confirming its operational readiness. AG Reederei Norden-Frisia has incorporated the E-Kat into its sustainability program, reinforcing its commitment to achieving zero-emission operations.
The company has installed photovoltaic systems at its Norddeich and Norderney facilities to supply renewable energy for charging the ferry’s batteries.
Joschka Böddeling, a representative from Damen Shipyards, described the E-Kat as a unique ferry and expressed confidence in its long-term reliability. The vessel is anticipated to complete up to eight round trips daily during peak season, offering an eco-friendly transportation option while minimizing the environmental impact of passenger ferry operations.
Image Credit: Damen Shipyards
