Danish ferry operator Molslinjen has placed an order for two new battery-powered Ro-Pax catamarans to be built at a shipyard in Australia. A third similar vessel is also planned, which the company's owner, Nordic Ferry Infrastructure, says will make the Kattegat route, "the world's largest electrification project at sea."
The 129-metre vessels will have space for 1,483 passengers and 500 cars, increasing the total capacity on the Kattegat by more than 25 per cent. Each will be equipped with 45,000 kWh battery packs, enabling a service speed of up to 40 knots. The first ferry is expected to arrive in late 2027 or early 2028.
The total cost for the three ferries and associated land-based charging infrastructure is around DKK3.5 billion ($550.7 million). Molslinjen stated that the company applied for support from the state's "green funding" program and that the possibility of state support was a key factor in placing the order.
The company said both ferries will be able to charge at both Aarhus and Odden ports. It also noted that for a 30-minute charge, each ferry will draw 55,000 kW at 15 kV AC, accumulating an average of 25,000 kWh of energy for its upcoming journey.