New Scandlines ferry soon to set course for Fehmarnbelt

May 6, 2025

Scandlines’ new low-emission ferry has completed the first of two test voyages in the Turkish Sea of Marmara.

In future, the environmentally friendly ship will be deployed in the Fehmarnbelt. The christening is scheduled for later this year.

After its stay at the outfitting quay of the Turkish shipyard Cemre, where the ship’s auxiliary systems were tested and a successful heeling test took place, Scandlines’ new Zero Direct Emission ferry has now completed the first of two test runs in the Turkish Sea of Marmara. It has also passed the so-called SAT (Sea Acceptance Tests).

During the sea trials, the shipyard tested the ship’s systems under load in collaboration with Scandlines and under the class supervision of Lloyd’s Register. “During the ten days of this test voyage, the ship’s batteries and electrical installations were tested. We were also able to see the propulsion system in operation for the first time,” explains Rasmus Nielsen, Vice President Fleet and Administration at Scandlines.

Scanlines ferry produces no direct emissions

The ship is currently back at the outfitting quay, where Scandlines is working with the shipyard, Lloyd’s Register and the Danish Maritime Authority to test, verify and document whether the ship complies with the applicable regulations and construction specifications.

Checking all of the ship’s equipment, identifying and eliminating potential challenges at an early stage and preparing the crew comprehensively for operation and maintenance – all of this is a complex and carefully planned process.

At home in Rødbyhavn, the crew of the new electric ferry have already received their first introduction and taken part in training at the shipyard, including a thorough review of all safety procedures.

When the ship is ready for operation, it will be handed over to Scandlines and can set sail for Rødbyhavn with some of the future crew at the helm. A stop in Gibraltar on the south coast of the Iberian Peninsula and in Brest on the west coast of France are planned.

“This will be a very big day for us when we see our new ship arrive in Rødbyhavn and we are incredibly excited to put it into service. With our first completely emission-free ferry, we are taking a huge step towards our goal of sailing the Puttgarden-Rødby route with zero direct emissions in 2030,” says Scandlines COO Michael Guldmann Petersen. The official christening of the ferry will take place later this year at a ceremony in connection with its operation on the Fehmarnbelt.