Kongsberg Maritime to Convert Ferry to Emission-Free Battery Power

Kongsberg Maritime has been awarded a project to convert the MF Hamlet, a double-ended car ferry operated by Öresundlinjen, to operate emission-free on battery power. The ferry, which travels between Helsingør, Denmark, and Helsingborg, Sweden, will undergo a significant upgrade that includes the installation of large battery packs and new permanent magnet motors for the azimuth thrusters. The main objectives of the project are to achieve zero emissions, enable full electric operation with batteries, and ensure mechanical propulsion redundancy.

As part of the conversion project, Kongsberg Maritime will be responsible for rebuilding the existing thrusters for electric operation and installing new permanent magnet motors for each of the four main azimuth thrusters. Additionally, the company will provide an energy, automation, and control package that includes interface to the main switchboard, retrofitting the K-Chief 600 to the new K-Chief system with an Energy Management System, and implementing Mcon thruster control with control chairs on the two bridges.

The conversion process will involve the installation of energy storage systems supplied by Echandia, mechanical conversion handled by Oresund Drydocks, and deck house production and installation by SH-Group. The project is scheduled to begin in November 2025 at Oresund Drydocks, with the vessel visiting the yard in March for preparation work before operating during the summer season and undergoing conversion. Once completed, the ferry will operate emission-free with battery packs powering the thruster motors, while the existing diesel engines will serve as a backup. Additionally, the ferry will be equipped to install Kongsberg Maritime’s Auto-Crossing and Auto-Docking technology for automated transit and harbor maneuvers.

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