Norled has entered into an agreement with Ruter regarding the electrification of the express boats in the Oslo Fjord. The express boats will utilize a brand new battery-swapping robot, ensuring that current scheduled services are maintained. The electrification will cut CO2 emissions by 2,600 tonnes per year.
– We are incredibly pleased to collaborate with Ruter on making the express boats emission-free. With the new battery-swapping technology, we can quickly transition existing express boats to electric operation. We have previously collaborated with Ruter on the electrification of the Nesodden ferries. Now we are doing the same for the express boats, says Heidi Wolden, CEO of Norled.
Today’s express boats, which run on fossil fuels, will be converted into zero-emission vessels. We are achieving this by installing a new battery-swapping solution in the vessels. By swapping batteries instead of having permanent ones, the vessels will have a lighter weight and can thus operate longer routes and at their current speed.
The express boats MS «Baronen» and MS «Baronessen», which currently operate routes in the Oslo Fjord, will be converted into zero-emission vessels at the Brødrene Aa shipyard in Hyen.
The express boats will swap batteries by connecting to a battery-swapping robot developed by Norled, SEAM, and Aarbakke. The battery-swapping robot has been named SHIFTR. Production of the robot is well underway at Aarbakke in Jæren.
– This is an important step towards making public transport on the fjord emission-free. In addition, it is an innovation project where we will be the first to implement such a solution, says Olav Skinnes (Sp), County Councillor for Transport in Viken County Municipality.
– This is an important measure for Ruter to achieve its environmental goals of being emission-free by 2028, says Snorre Lægran, Planning Director at Ruter.
