Kongsberg Maritime is to convert the double ended Öresund car ferry ‘Hamlet’ to an emission-free battery powered operation.
The ferry, operated by Öresundlinjen, runs between Helsingør, Denmark, and Helsingborg, Sweden and will undergo a major upgrade, including the installation of large battery packs and new permanent magnet (PM) motors for her azimuth thrusters.
The project’s primary goals include achieving zero emissions, enabling full electric operation with batteries, and having mechanical propulsion redundancy. ‘Hamlet’ will utilise high-voltage charging when in port, taking only eight to 12 mins, and low-voltage charging via gensets as a back-up.
Kongsberg Maritime will be responsible for rebuilding the existing thrusters for electric operation, installing new PM motors for the four main azimuth thrusters, each rated at 1,530 kW.
In addition, the company will provide a comprehensive energy, automation, and control package, which includes interface to the main switchboard, retrofitting the K-Chief 600 to the new K-Chief system with an energy management system, and implementing Mcon thruster control with control chairs on the two bridges.
Energy storage systems will be supplied by Echandia directly to the owner, while Oresund Drydocks will handle the conversion. Installation company, SH-Group will produce and install deck houses and ensure that cabling is routed correctly and that the new equipment will be installed and wired.
The quick conversion job is scheduled to start in November, 2025 at Oresund Drydocks, but the vessel will be visiting the yard this month during scheduled maintenance docking for preparation work before operating the summer season and then undergoing the conversion.
The Helsingør/Helsingborg ferry route across the northern and narrowest part of the Øresund strait, is one of the world’s busiest international car ferry routes.
With the ‘Hamlet’s’ conversion, the entire route will be fully electric.
Kongsberg Maritime will carry out the conversion of the top gear on the four US 3001 controllable pitch thrusters, rebuilt to have twin input, where the primary input is driven by the new electric PM motors and the secondary is connected to the existing diesel engines. The ferry will charge its batteries shoreside connecting to the existing charging robots (10.6 MW/10.4 kV).
She will also be prepared for the installation of Kongsberg Maritime’s Auto-Crossing and Auto-Docking technology to automate transit and harbour manoeuvres.
Completely new deckhouses will be installed on the top deck, with Kongsberg Maritime energy equipment and the Echandia batteries being key features. The two bridges will get new console layouts to improve visibility and new control chairs for the pilot and co-pilot for enhanced ergonomic operations.
Kristian Durhuus, Molslinjen CEO, said: “We have the strategic vision to electrify our entire fleet to secure the complete green transition and become carbon-neutral in 2040. ‘Hamlet’ is an important step for us, and we look forward to welcoming our passengers to yet another fully electric ferry on Øresundslinjen.”
Speaking at the recent Martime Battery Forum conference WattsUp 2025 in Helsingborg, Martin Kjøraas, Head of Aftermarket Sales Seaborne, Integration and Energy, at Kongsberg Maritime, said, “We are proud to lead the electrification of the ‘Hamlet’ ferry. This project demonstrates our dedication to sustainable maritime solutions and our expertise in hybrid and electric upgrades.
“The continuous collaboration between Öresundlinjen, the yard, and all sub-suppliers has been exceptional in the project preparation phase, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this conversion will have on the environment and the efficiency of this busy ferry route,” he said.
