Reederei Norden-Frisia has held a naming ceremony for its latest vessel, Frisia E-I. In a boost for sustainable public transport, the vessel, a Damen Fast Ferry 3209 Electric, is the first fully electric catamaran to operate in Germany. Charged with electricity generated by onshore solar panels, the ferry offers a carbon neutral service.
Among the guests attending the naming ceremony, held at Reederei Norden-Frisia’s location in Norddeich, were Department Head for Waterways and Shipping in the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Dr. Wibke Mellwig, Member of the Board of Reederei Norden-Frisia Carl-Ulfert Stegmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Reederei Norden-Frisia Karin Pragal, and Damen Sales Manager for Germany Joschka Böddeling.
The ferry is the first vessel that Reederei Norden-Frisia has built outside of Germany in its long history of over 150 years. The company was attracted to Damen by its track record in the construction of electric vessels.
Additionally, Damen provided Reederei Norden-Frisia with support for the charging infrastructure and mooring facilities required, offering an efficient way to tackle the full scope of the project.
The route that the ferry will serve – between Norddeich and the island of Norderney on the East Frisian coast – called for the development of a unique vessel. To sail in the shallow waters of the Wadden Sea, the ferry required a draught no more than 1.2 metres.
Additionally, the Wadden Sea is a UNESCO World Heritage site with strict criteria for maritime operations. To ensure the protection of this environmentally valuable area, the vessel is restricted to sailing at relatively low speeds.
Even with these restrictions in place, however, the Fast Ferry 3209Electric reduces the current sailing time by half, transporting up to 150 passengers in just 30 minutes. The vessel is recharged during (dis)embarkation of passengers over the course of 28 minutes.
