Damen Shipyards delivers first electric ferry to customer

Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards has successfully delivered the first electric catamaran ferry to a customer in Germany, marking a significant step forward in green logistics.


The new electric ship, model Frisia E-1, has been handed over to the German operator AG Reederei Norden-Frisia. It will be used on the route between Norddeich and Norderney in the vicinity of the East Frisian Islands.

The vessel, with a hull length of 32 meters and a draft of 1,2 meters, is designed specifically for short-distance operations in shallow waters. Literally everything about it is done to minimize its impact on the environment.


For example, the hull is made of aluminum, as is the superstructure. The latter received large glass panes - among other things, due to this, it was possible to reduce the weight of the vessel, and therefore improve energy efficiency.

Electric energy for powering the ship's batteries comes from on-shore solar panels, which further emphasizes the ferry's environmental friendliness and meets the principles of "green" energy.

For high maneuverability and speed, the ship is equipped with two electric motors with a capacity of 815 hp each. They accelerate the ferry to a maximum speed of 19 knots or 35 km/h.

Frisia E-1 is designed to carry up to 150 passengers, making it a suitable choice for transporting people on popular tourist routes. The ship can make dozens of trips during the day with minimal interruptions for charging the traction batteries.

The development and construction of the Frisia E-1 ferry was a joint effort between Damen Shipyards and AG Reederei Norden-Frisia.

The collaboration between the shipbuilder and the operator made it possible to take into account all the peculiarities of the local waterways and create a vessel that is suitable for the conditions of the East Frisian Islands.


The fact that this is the first fully electric ferry in Germany has helped the project attract a lot of attention not only from local authorities and environmental organizations, but also from the entire European shipbuilding community.

Founded in the Netherlands in 1927, Damen Shipyards has long established itself as a leader in innovative marine solutions. In recent years, it has been actively working on the development of environmentally friendly technologies for ships, including electric and hybrid ships.