With an investment of more than EUR 31 million, the 1997-built ferries will each be equipped with a 5 MWh battery system and fast-charging infrastructure both onboard and at ferry berths in Puttgarden and Rødby. This will allow the batteries to reach at least 80% capacity in just 12 minutes—enough to cover most of a crossing on renewable electricity. The upgrades are expected to reduce CO2e emissions by up to 80%.

The first milestone was reached as DEUTSCHLAND recently arrived at BLRT Repair Yards Klaipeda in Lithuania, where her transformation is now underway. The conversion of SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN will follow in December, with both projects set for completion by early 2026.

“This is about more than just technology—it’s about responsibility. As a ferry company operating daily in one of the world’s most sensitive waters, we have a special obligation to protect the marine environment,” said Scandlines COO Michael Guldmann Petersen.

The project is supported by the German Ministry of Transport, which is covering up to 40% of the costs under a programme for the sustainable modernisation of coastal vessels. It is part of Scandlines’ broader strategy to achieve direct emission-free operations on the Puttgarden-Rødby route by 2030 and to become a fully emission-free company by 2040.

Over the past decade, Scandlines has invested EUR 380 million in green technologies, including hybrid ferries for the Rostock-Gedser route, rotor sails, advanced propeller blades, low-noise thrusters, and algae-repellent hull coatings. The company is also set to welcome its first purpose-built zero direct emissions ferry, FUTURA, from Cemre Shipyard.

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