The Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Group delivered Germany’s first fully electric catamaran ferry (E-Kat) to the shipowner - the German company Reederei Norden-Frisia.
The vessel was officially handed over on January 15th, 2025, and subsequently transferred from Rotterdam (Holland) to Norddeich-Norden (Lower Saxony, Germany) on January 22nd.
The E-Kat's journey to its homeport involved towing from Rotterdam to Borkum Island (Germany) in the North Sea. From there, the ferry proceeded under its own power, operating entirely on electric propulsion to reach Norderney Island and finally Norddeich. The vessel will serve the route between Norddeich and Norderney in the East Frisian Wadden Sea.
The 32-meter catamaran is constructed from lightweight aluminum to minimize weight and features twin hulls with a shallow draft of just 1.2 meters, ideal for the waterways it will navigate. Designed for efficiency, the ferry accommodates up to 150 passengers and operates at speeds of up to 12 knots. Its propulsion system consists of two 600 kW electric motors driving propellers, supplemented by two 75 kW electric bow thrusters for maneuverability. The battery system, developed by Dutch company EST-Floattech, uses the Octopus High Energy battery technology with a maximum capacity of 1,8 MW.
The ferry is optimized for a 30-minute crossing between Norddeich and Norderney, with a turnaround time of 28 minutes at each port for disembarking and embarking passengers. During this time, the E-Kat will recharge its batteries using shore power connections. A full charge is sufficient for a round trip of approximately 11 kilometers (7 miles), ensuring entirely CO2-free operations.
The vessel was built at Damen’s shipyards in Poland and the Netherlands and recently completed its acceptance trials. These trials confirmed its readiness for service, including successful full-power charging tests at the pier. The ferry is expected to operate up to eight round trips daily during peak season.
The E-Kat is part of AG Reederei Norden-Frisia’s broader initiative to achieve zero emissions in its operations. The company has installed photovoltaic systems at its facilities in Norddeich and on Norderney Island to supply renewable energy for charging the ferry’s batteries. This aligns with their long-term goal of creating a closed cycle of electricity production and consumption.
This innovative vessel represents a significant step forward in sustainable maritime transport, showcasing how electric propulsion can be effectively implemented in passenger ferry operations while reducing environmental impact.