- New hybrid ferry not taking passengers on board for now
The new hybrid ship of the Hamburg ferry operator Hadag is scheduled to commence its first test runs as early as August. When passengers will be allowed on board is still unclear, according to a spokesperson for the Hamburg Hochbahn. The ferry, equipped with both electric and diesel propulsion, was handed over to the Hadag subsidiary of the Hochbahn at the beginning of July. Currently, final work is being carried out on the "Neuland", and technicians and ship captains are being trained in handling the battery and other technical components, as explained by Hochbahn spokesperson Christoph Kreienbaum.
In service by the end of the year?
Hadag has ordered a total of three hybrid ferries from the SET shipyard in Tangermünde (Saxony-Anhalt). The second ship was launched on June 21, according to the company. The launch of the third ship is scheduled for August 26, 2024, allowing all three ships to start their service in Hamburg by the end of the year, the shipyard announced. The hybrid propulsion technology can reduce exhaust emissions by approximately 70%. According to the Hamburg Senate, Hadag expects each ship to avoid 20% of CO2 emissions.
Charging infrastructure not until the end of 2025
The charging infrastructure is not expected to be ready until the end of next year. "Until then, we can supply the three hybrid ferries with our 'onboard means'," explained Kreienbaum, referring to the existing power connection at the ferry company's operating facility in Altona. Hadag operates 26 additional diesel-powered ferries.
Operational issues with the current fleet
The ferry company is struggling with a high failure rate in its scheduled services. According to the Senate, approximately 8% (7.98) of all scheduled trips failed to operate last year. Compared to 2022, this rate was 18 times higher and more than seven times higher than in the pre-Corona year 2019 (1.09%). The failure rate further increased to 9.01% in the first quarter of 2024.
Uncertainty about the reliability of the new hybrid ferries
It remains to be seen whether the new hybrid ferries will improve these figures. The operation of (partially) emission-free ships is directly and significantly dependent on external influencing factors, such as weather and season, as the Senate explained at the beginning of the year. Some passengers might miss a feature of the previous "ironing board ferries": the large front window with the spectacular view over the bow of the ship.
The European Union has expressed interest in the environmental benefits of Hadag's new hybrid ferries, as they can reduce exhaust emissions by approximately 70%. The European Union is actively promoting sustainable transport solutions within its member states.
