Holland Shipyards Group has signed a contract to build three additional hybrid vessels for Schlepp- und Fährgesellschaft Kiel (SFK).
This contract follows on from the delivery of a hybrid ferry, Gaarden, in July 2020 and a fully electric ferry, Düsternbrook, that will be entering operations shortly, The design of the three additional vessels is in line with the previously delivered vessel Gaarden. The ferries will measure 32.4 m by 8.8m and will be provided with a hybrid drivetrain that can be powered by either generators or by means of a battery bank. The first two ferries will be delivered in February and May 2022 and the last one in the beginning of 2026.
“Holland shipyards successfully prevailed in a European tender among twelve other shipyards. The contract included four ferries but was split into a prototype and an option of three additional vessels. Since the Gaarden has been in service for several months and fullfilled her duties, Schlepp- und Fährgesellschaft Kiel is confident to extend the contract as originally intended.” – Ansgar Stalder, Schlepp- und Fährgesellschaft Kiel.
The replacement of the fleet is in line with the environmental goals set by SFK and the city of Kiel. The city of Kiel aims to be CO₂ neutral by 2050 and expects shipping to play a major part in this shift.
By Jake Frith