Hamburg adds to its clean hybrid vessel fleet

WS1 Bürgermeister Brauer, built by Baltic Workboats AS in Estonia, is a 29.4-metre-long police boat which features a plug-in hybrid drive, capable of operating for two hours at seven knots on electric power alone.

“With the introduction of the first hybrid police boat in the Port of Hamburg, we are taking an important step towards a sustainable future for watercraft,” said Karsten Schönewald, CEO of Flotte Hamburg.

“We are proud to equip the water police with low-emission propulsion technologies and thus actively contribute to reducing emissions in our city.”

Greener fleet

During the welcoming ceremony at the end of last year, Hamburg’s Senator for Economics and Labour, Dr Melanie Leonhard, highlighted the environmental benefits of the vessel.

“We are reducing emissions by using modern technologies – the new ships in the Hamburg fleet are protecting the climate by using advanced technology in the Port of Hamburg. This brings us one step closer to achieving our climate targets and reduces our dependence on fossil fuels,” she said.

The hybrid vessel is part of a broader strategy to modernise the Hamburg police boat fleet, with additional hybrid vessels WS3 ‘Bürgermeister Weichmann’ and another identical model slated for 2025. This initiative aligns with Hamburg’s goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2040.

This new hybrid vessel further underscores Hamburg’s commitment to sustainable port operations, reducing emissions while maintaining high performance standards for the water police.