Scandlines to invest over EUR 31 million in hybrid ferry conversions

Some 5MW of battery power will be retrofitted for each of the two Scandlines vessels (Source: Scandlines)
Scandlines has announced an investment exceeding EUR 31 million to convert two of its ferries, Deutschland and Schleswig-Holstein, into plug-in hybrid vessels. The move is aimed at protecting the Baltic Sea and Fehmarn Belt while progressing towards zero direct emissions on the Puttgarden-Rødby route by 2030.
The ferry conversions will be carried out by Western Shiprepair, a Lithuanian yard within the BLRT Repair Yards group, following an extensive tender process. Work on the Deutschland will begin in late August 2025, followed by Schleswig-Holstein in December. Completion is expected by early 2026.
Each vessel will be fitted with a 5-MWh energy storage system and charging infrastructure both onboard and at the ferry terminals in Puttgarden and Rødby. The batteries will be capable of charging up to 80% capacity in just 12 minutes, using electricity from renewable sources. Scandlines anticipates a reduction of as much as 80% in CO₂ emissions as a result.
Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport will contribute up to 40% of the project cost. The conversion marks another major milestone in Scandlines’ target of becoming a directly emission-free company by 2040, in line with the Paris Agreement.