By
Alice Chambers |
German ferry operator SFK has taken delivery of its new, fully electric ferry Wellingdorf, which will operate in Kiel.
The zero-emission vessel was designed and built by Holland Shipyards Group as part of the SFK’s plan to renew its fleet to reduce its environmental impact. The vessel uses a split battery system provided by Dutch company Est-Floattech, as well as an electric-hydraulic mooring system to minimise energy consumption. Onboard power will be supplied by 20 solar panels on its roof.
Wellingdorf, which can accommodate 140 pedestrians and 60 cyclists, is the fifth of six fully electric vessels that will be joining the SFK fleet. The final ship, Schilksee, will be delivered in 2026 and contribute towards the City of Kiel achieving its goal to be carbon neutral by 2050. Due to this, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure contributed almost 15 per cent of the overall construction cost as part of Germany’s Clean Air programme.