End of a Diesel Ferry: Scandlines Advances Electrification on the Vogelfluglinie Route

Puttgarden/Copenhagen – Electrification of shipping is gaining momentum, particularly on short, regularly scheduled ferry routes, where battery-electric vessels are increasingly emerging as an alternative to diesel propulsion. German-Danish ferry operator Scandlines is gradually converting its fleet to hybrid and battery-electric drive systems.

Scandlines has invested in the electrification of its ferry operations for years, with the goal of operating without direct emissions by 2040. In March 2026, the company put a new generation of vessel, the battery-electric freight ferry "The Baltic Whale," into service on the Puttgarden (Fehmarn)–Rødby, Denmark route. The vessel replaces the 45-year-old M/F Kronprins Frederik.

M/F Kronprins Frederik Retires After 45 Years

Against this backdrop, Scandlines has taken the M/F Kronprins Frederik out of service after 45 years in operation. The vessel, commissioned in 1981, completed its final voyage last weekend, sailing from Puttgarden via the Great Belt and Skagen to the Danish port of Esbjerg, where it will be handed over to ship recycling company Smedegaarden A/S.

The M/F Kronprins Frederik originally operated between Korsør and Nyborg on the Great Belt. From 1997, it served Scandlines first as a passenger and freight ferry on the Rostock–Gedser route, and most recently as a dedicated freight ferry between Puttgarden and Rødby. Over its operational lifetime, the vessel carried millions of passengers, vehicles and rail cars.

The Baltic Whale: 10 MWh Battery Replaces Diesel Propulsion on the Fehmarn Belt

The new freight ferry "The Baltic Whale" has taken over the Kronprins Frederik's service since March 10, 2026. According to Scandlines, the vessel ranks among the world's largest ferries capable of running solely on shore-based charging power. It was built at the Cemre shipyard in Turkey at a cost of approximately EUR 80 million.

At the core of the 147.4-meter ferry is a battery system with a storage capacity of 10 MWh. The batteries can be recharged in around twelve minutes during port calls. To enable this, Scandlines has installed a 25 MW power supply in Rødby and a 15 MW charging infrastructure in Puttgarden. The new shore power connection in Puttgarden has been operational since early July 2026.

Using shore power from both ports, The Baltic Whale can complete the 18.5-kilometer Fehmarn Belt crossing in around 45 minutes without direct emissions. The vessel can also operate in hybrid mode when required. If the battery is charged at only one port, the fully electric crossing time extends to approximately one hour. The new ferry offers around 1,200 lane meters and capacity for 66 freight units as well as up to 140 passengers. Trucks can be transported on both the lower and upper vehicle decks. According to the company, the vessel's entry into service increases Scandlines' freight capacity on the route by 27 percent.

Short Routes Emerge as Key Market for Electric Ferries

Ferry electrification is currently concentrated on short, high-traffic routes with predictable schedules. Regular port calls allow large ship batteries to be combined with high-capacity shore power connections and recharged during loading and unloading. On such routes, battery-electric ferries are increasingly able to fully replace diesel propulsion.

In addition to its new electric freight ferry, Scandlines operates six hybrid ferries. The company is also investing in converting further vessels to plug-in hybrid propulsion and in port charging infrastructure. With its combination of battery-powered vessels, hybrid drives and high-capacity shore power systems, Scandlines is among the frontrunners of electrification in European ferry transport.

Source: IWR Online, 29 Jul 2026