Scandlines has entered into a contract with Cemre Shipyard, Turkey, to build an emissionfree freight ferry for the Puttgarden-Rødby route. The ferry will be inserted in 2024 and will
launch the next generation of ferries on the route.
The vessel has a capacity of 66 freight units, which increases the current capacity by 23
percent.
With a crossing time of one hour, the ferry is emission free. It can also be operated as a
hybrid ferry like the current passenger ferries on the Scandlines routes between Germany
and Denmark. As a hybrid ferry, the crossing time is 45 minutes. Thus, the ferry can also be
used as backup ferry if one the four double-ended ferries that are currently operating the
Puttgarden-Rødby route, is in the yard.
As it is known from the ferries operating the Rostock-Gedser route, it will be possible to
transport lorries on both the upper and lower decks. Therefore, berth 3 in Rødby and berth
1 in Puttgarden must be rebuilt to also load lorries on the upper deck. At the same time, a
new lorry storage area will be established in the terminal of Puttgarden.
Scandlines thus replaces the two oldest ships in the fleet, M/V Holger Danske and M/V
Kronprins Frederik.
“With the added capacity, we will be able to meet the increasing need from freight
customers. In 2021, the number of freight units has already increased by 12 percent,” says
Scandlines’ CEO Carsten Nørland.
With a zero emission ferry, Scandlines is taking a big step on the green journey. The ferry will
initially exclusively charge in Rødby. Already in 2019, Scandlines invested in a 50 kV / 25
MW power cable to Færgevej in Rødbyhavn. This cable will now be extended to the ferry
berths, where a transformer and charging station will be installed. In the longer run, the
plan is to also be able to charge in Puttgarden when a good solution has been found for
the purchase of green energy.
The modular construction of the vessel makes it possible to later adjust the vessel in order
to also carry cars. Scandlines achieves maximum flexibility, both in terms of future
technology and needs.
”Scandlines has for several years focused on the entire area of sustainability. The hybrid
system was a quantum leap in green ferry operations. Scandlines not only operates the
world’s largest fleet of hybrid ferries, the system is also being copied worldwide and has
been a huge success. Now we are ready to take the next big step and insert the first zero
emission ferry. The next generation of ferries is ready to take over on the Puttgarden-Rødby
route,” says Chairman of Scandlines’ Supervisory Board Vagn Sørensen.
“NABU welcomes this further major step by the shipping company Scandlines on the way
to emission-free shipping. Scandlines not only significantly lowers its own emissions and
proves that even larger ships can sail completely without greenhouse gas and air
pollutant emissions already today, but also paves the way for climate-neutral shipping with its pioneering role. We are thankful for this courageous step,” says Sönke Diesener shipping
expert of NABU, the German Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union.
Data for zero emission Scandlines freight ferry for the Puttgarden-Rødby route:
Length: 147.4 m
Breadth: 25.4 m
Design draft: 5.30 m
Freight capacity: 66 freight units (abt. 1,200 lane metres)
Max. number of passengers: 140
Service speed: 18 knots
