Scandlines’ new zero direct emissions freight ferry, to be named ‘Futura’ when it enters service in 2024, has been traditionally launched from the Turkish Cemre Shipyard.
The ship is now moored at Cemre’s outfitting quay, where much of the remaining work will be carried out, then docked again before delivery, for painting among other work.
Scandlines COO Michael Guldmann Petersen said: “She glided smoothly in the water – it was beautiful, quiet and calm, just as we had dreamed it would be.”
Futura is 147.4m long, with capacity for 140 passengers and about 1200 lane metres for freight trailers. It will have the world’s largest lithium-ion battery bank to date. Charging in port will take about 12 minutes.
With the new 100% electric freight ferry, Scandlines is making the journey between Germany and Denmark more environmentally friendly – and more comfortable for the drivers. While the option of driving through the Fehmarn Belt tunnel from Puttgarden in Germany to Rødby in Denmark is still far out on the horizon, Scandlines is opening up a completely new way to cross the Fehmarn belt as early as 2024. Scandlines plans to keep sailing on the route for many years to come, after the opening of the Fehmarn Belt fixed link.
Scandlines CEO Carsten Nørland said: “With Futura, we make it possible to travel without any direct emissions, as the ferry runs entirely on electricity. At the same time, we have a sharp focus on making the entire journey worth the time – so we have also worked to make the experience on board even better. We believe in a future for ferries. We invest in a multi-million euro electric ferry, because we have a responsibility to the world around us and because we are convinced that there is a need for journeys that don’t just take place behind the wheel on the motorway. This applies to freight drivers, families on holiday and those who just want to go border shopping.”
