Electric ferries for Denmark

Damen Shipyards Group delivered the five 23.3m x 5.6m, 50-passenger electric ferries to Arriva Denmark in Copenhagen this month. They are being operated on behalf of Danish public transport agency Movia.

The shipyard won the tender for the vessels in 2018 and selected the LTO battery expert Echandia Marine to provide the energy systems.

Working closely together with other suppliers Eekels, Heliox and Staubli, the team developed an innovative auto-mooring system to ensure a secure connection between the vessel and charging infrastructure.

Reduced emissions

According to Damen, the ferries reduce Copenhagen’s public transport NOX emissions by 2.5%, CO2 emissions by 10% and particulate emissions by 66%. As well as a positive environmental impact, there will be a noticeable improvement in efficiency and passenger experience.

The ferries are silent and only need to be charged for just seven-minutes after each journey, negating the need for longer charging periods which take the ferries out of service.

Propulsion is via a specially developed zero-emissions driveline that is powered by a 120 kWh battery system comprising two separate battery strings placed in the main compartment. Charging of the system occurs through automated fast charging at both end locations of the ferry route.

The ferries are covering passenger routes in the central metropolitan area of Copenhagen as well as to the port area.