Electric catamaran launched

An all-electric 42-metre catamaran ‘The Future of the Fjords’ is about to begin operations in Norway.

Unveiled by Brødrene Aa last month, the 400-passenger capacity craft has been delivered to the operator, The Fjords, which will use it to make 700 emission-free round trips a year between Flam and Gudvangen, Electrek reports.

It has a 1800kWh battery pack and two 450kW electric motors, said to reach 16 knots for 30 nautical miles.

A 2.4mWh battery pack is also built into a custom-made 40m-long dock, which will recharge the catamaran in 20 minutes. The dock has a black water storage system too, avoiding sewage release into the fjord.

It all fits with the Norwegian Parliament’s move to stop emissions from ferries and cruise ships in the country’s world heritage fjords.

“It is our mission to safeguard the vulnerable environment we give access to, while providing the absolute optimal experience for our passengers,” The Fjords chief executive officer Rolf Sandvik says.