The first of Molslinjen's two electric ferries, designed by OSK Design, has now left the Cemre Shipyard, just south of Istanbul in Turkey, where Molslinjen's two new electric ferries for the Alslinjen and Samsølinjen are being constructed. The project has faced delays, but the ferry NERTHUS has now left the waters around the shipyard and begun its long journey home.

"Both of our newbuilds have been affected by delays. Earthquakes and the unstable situation in the Turkish economy have played a part, so it's with relief that we can now send the first ferry homeward," says Molslinjen's CEO, Kristian Durhuus.

The electric ferry has backup diesel engines, which will power it on the approximately 18-day journey, as it's not possible to charge the ferry's batteries until it reaches the specially built berths in Ballen and Kalundborg. The ferry will need to refuel once during the journey, in Vigo, Spain.

"We'll be crossing several waters where weather plays a significant role in the crew's ability to keep to the schedule, so we're hoping for good conditions for our team," says Kristian Durhuus.

Molslinjen's Mikael Kjerulf will be the captain for the journey home, with Tino Munck as chief engineer. They will sail the first of two electric ferries, which will set entirely new standards for electric ferries in Denmark.

The 117-metre-long electric ferry will be powered by 3.1 MWh batteries supplied by Echandia that can be fully charged in 20–25 minutes. The sister ship, TYRFING, will have a slightly larger battery pack with a 3.8 MWh capacity and will serve the Ballen–Kalundborg route in Denmark for Samsølinjen.

Both ships will be able to carry 188 cars and 600 passengers per crossing, will operate emission-free on their routes, and are designed for autonomous functionality, including auto-crossing and auto-docking, in line with BV notations, to optimise operations and enhance energy efficiency.

"We've chosen electrification as our path through the green transition, so it's very exciting for us to bring home the first ferry, built for a much greener future for Danish ferry operations," says Kristian Durhuus.

NERTHUS is expected to arrive in Kalundborg in early June. After that, the ferry will need to be prepared and approved by Danish authorities, the crew trained, and the berths and power connections tested before its first trip on 16 June 2025.

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