Danish ferry operator, Scandlines’ new emission-free ferry will soon be sailing across the Fehmarnbelt.
After a period at the Turkish Cemre shipyard’s outfitting quay and following the testing of the ship’s auxiliary systems, as well as an inclining test, the ferry has conducted the first of two sea trials in the Sea of Mamara, where the SAT (sea acceptance tests) were completed.
During the sea trials, the Cemre shipyard tested the ship’s systems under load in cooperation with Scandlines and under the supervision of class society, Lloyd’s Register.
”During the 10-day sea trials, the ship’s batteries and electrical installations were tested. We also got to see the propulsion system in operation for the first time,” explained Rasmus Nielsen, Scandlines’ Vice President, Fleet and Administration.
Back at the outfitting quay, the remaining systems and equipment will be commissioned to test, verify and document that the ship fulfills the specified requirements.
Testing all the equipment of the ship, identifying and resolving any issues, and ensuring the crew is trained in the operation and maintenance of the ship, is an extensive process, the company explained.
Her crew were first introduced to the ship in Rødbyhavn, Denmark and have been training at the shipyard where, among other things, all safety procedures were thoroughly reviewed.
Once the ship has been commissioned, she will be handed over to Scandlines and sail to Rødbyhavn with some of her future crew on board.
Stops are planned in Gibraltar and in Brest, France.
“It will be a very big day for us when we see our new ferry arrive in Rødbyhavn, and we cannot wait to put her into operation.
“With our first emission-free ferry, we’re taking a huge step towards meeting our goal of operating with zero direct emissions on the Puttgarden/Rødby route by 2030,” said Scandlines’ COO, Michael Guldmann Petersen.
She will be officially named at a ceremony in connection with its deployment on the Fehmarnbelt later this year.
She will have a length of 147.4 m, a breadth of 25.4 m, and a design draft of 5.30 m. Her freight capacity will be 66 units (about 1,200 lane m), plus a maximum of 140 pax.
With a service speed of around 16 knots, the crossing time will be 45 mins (as of Autumn 2025).
She will be fitted with a battery system of 10 MWh capacity with a 12-minute charging time while in port. This will mean, the ship will have zero direct emissions.
Scandlines operates two ferry routes with high capacity and frequency. Six of the ferries are hybrid, and two are fitted with a rotor sail.
In 2024, with 37,500 departures on seven ferries, Scandlines transported close to 6.4 mill pax, over 1.6 mill cars and 700,000 freight units on the Puttgarden/Rødby and Rostock/Gedser routes.
The company has also published its 2024 Annual Report.
Last year, Scandlines maintained revenue at €465 mill (€466 mill for 2023) and revealed a profit rise before tax to €125 mill, compared to €122 mill profit for the previous year.
Traffic remained unchanged at 6.4 mill passengers with a record-breaking 2.7 mill passengers during the summer season.
“We continued to fortify our competitive position in a challenging environment by refining our products and services,” said CEO Eric Grégoire.
“Our commercial initiatives, investments in fleet and port infrastructure, and focus on customer convenience have positioned us well for future growth.”
Last year, Scandlines introduced a dynamic pricing system, offering greater flexibility and better value for customers booking early or travelling on less busy departures, which contributed to record capacity utilisation during the summer months.
Further digital enhancements, including number plate recognition and a new app for easier booking, improved the overall customer experience.
Looking ahead, Scandlines anticipates moderate growth in traffic volumes this year, supported by the commissioning of its new electric freight ferry and continued enhancements to its digital and operational platforms.
“We are firmly focused on combining efficiency, innovation, and sustainability to create an even stronger offering for our customers and partners,” Grégoire said.
