World first: fully-electric fast ferry

Claimed to be the first of its kind in the world, MS Medstraum was conceived by an industry cluster organisation called NCE Maritime CleanTech, which said it aimed to develop new modular methods for designing and producing zero-emission fast ferries for inshore passenger transport.

The ferry was built using these methods at the Fjellstrand shipyard in Norway, and has set sail for Stavanger port, where she will be stationed and operated by public transport firm Kolumbus. She will operate between Stavanger, Byøyene, and Hommersåk.

The 30m x 9m MS Medstraum has a battery capacity of 1,500kWh with a charging capacity of 2.3MW. She has two 550kW electric engines, a cruising speed of 23 knots, and a maximum speed of 27 knots. 

Kolumbus currently operates 10 fast ferries as well as regular ferries and buses.

“We are very happy to finally get this flagship delivered,” said Kolumbus Project Manager Mikal Dahle. ”Kolumbus aims to be at the forefront of adopting new and environmentally friendly technology.”

”It’s been challenging building this ship, as it’s never been done before, but we’ve learned a lot,” said Edmund Tolo, Head of Research and Development, at Fjellstrand AS. ”Fast ferries require a lot of energy so we needed to make Medstraum lighter and a lot more efficient than traditional fast ferries. We’re very happy and proud to have accomplished that. It is revolutionary that a vessel of this size can operate at 23 knots for an entire hour by electricity alone.”