Scandlines converts Fehmarn Belt ferries to plug-in hybrids
With a total investment of more than €31m (US$35m), Scandlines will begin converting two of the ferries operating its Puttgarden-Rødby route to plug-in hybrid ferries, targeting a CO₂e emissions reduction by up to 80%.
The German Ministry of Transport has awarded the project financial support as part of a funding program, aimed at promoting the sustainable modernization of coastal vessels to reduce emissions. The program covers up to 40% of the conversion expenses.
Battery conversions
Scandlines has signed a contract with Western Shiprepair in Lithuania for the conversion. The conversion of the first ferry will start at the end of August 2025 while the second ferry will begin in December 2025. The work is expected to be completed in early 2026.
On average, the batteries in the ferries will be charged with at least 80% of the energy needed for a crossing in 12 minutes. The refit includes: the installation of advanced 5MWh battery systems on each ferry; charging facilities for the ferries on board and at the Puttgarden and Rødby ferry berths; and renewable electricity as primary energy source during crossings. After the retrofit, the passenger ferries are expected to be capable of an 18.5 knot service speed.
Long-term efforts for direct emissions-free shipping
This initiative is a milestone toward the goal of operating the Puttgarden-Rødby route without direct emissions by 2030. It is also part of Scandlines’ overall ambition to become a direct emission-free company by 2040, in line with the Paris Agreement climate goals.
Michael Guldmann Petersen, chief operating operator (COO) of Scandlines, said, “It’s about more than just technology – it’s about responsibility. As a ferry company operating daily in one of the world’s most sensitive waters, we have a special obligation to protect the marine environment we operate in. By electrifying two of our Fehmarn Belt ferries, we are moving much closer to our goal of making the route direct emission-free by 2030. This is what our customers want, and it will significantly strengthen our competitiveness. The combination of our unparalleled reliability, continued investment in our sustainability initiatives as well as the tailored traffic machine and excellent retail offerings, forms a competitive foundation for our business.”
Ingrida Streckienė, director of Western Shiprepair | BLRT Repair Yards, commented, “We are honored to continue our long-standing partnership with Scandlines through this milestone project that supports the green transition in maritime transport. Over the years, we’ve built a strong foundation of trust and collaboration, successfully delivering complex repair and conversion projects together. The conversion of two ferries operating on the Fehmarn Belt into plug-in hybrids is a significant step forward, not just for Scandlines’ ambitious sustainability goals, but for the entire ferry industry. At Western Shiprepair | BLRT Repair Yards, we are proud to contribute our technical expertise, proven track record, and production capacities to make this vision a reality. Our collaboration with Scandlines is a meaningful contribution to the ongoing decarbonization of European ferry routes.”
In related news, Scandlines’ battery-electric ferry recently completed the first of two sea trials in the Sea of Mamara in Turkey. The €80m (US$90m) ferry features a 10MWh battery system, which can be recharged in 12 minutes at port, and produces no direct emissions during the crossing between Puttgarden and Rødby. Read the full story here.
