Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten and Next Generation (NG) Shipyards have signed a multimillion-euro contract to build a new high-speed Wadden Ferry for the service between Ameland and Holwert in the Netherlands. The ship will run on biodiesel and can be converted to fully electric propulsion in the future.
The ship will be built by NG Shipyards in collaboration with several subcontractors in the northern Netherlands. The new Wadden Ferry will be delivered to Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten before the end of 2025 and is expected to be put into service in early 2026.
A new generation of fast ferry services
The ship will be equipped with a new type of high-efficiency water jet, which, in combination with the efficient vessel design, will ensure lower fuel consumption. The three engines will meet the strictest emission requirements and minimize the emission of harmful substances. This not only makes the vessel very energy efficient but also contributes to a further reduction in CO2 emissions. The Wadden Ferry will emit more than 50% less CO2 per sailing than the current MS Fostaborg, and will transport more passengers. This reduces emissions per passenger even further, to less than 30% compared with the current fast ferry service.
The design of the Wadden Ferry is fully tailored to the local sailing conditions on the Wadden Sea and the specific requirements of Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten. Its 80cm draft reportedly makes the sailing and passing options better and more reliable, especially at lower tides.
For optimum safety, the fast ferry service will have an advanced Mouse Boat Positioning System so that it can be maneuvered in any direction and at any speed. This system is expected to be especially valuable for safe mooring when precision and maneuverability are key.
Passenger experience
The new ferry will have room for 75 passengers, with plenty of luggage space at the stern and under the seats. There will be USB-C ports next to the seats so that passengers can charge their devices during the crossing. The ship will also have facilities for disabled passengers.
This investment in the connection between Ameland and Holwerd is intended make Ameland more accessible. Jieskje Hollander, director of Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten, said, “We feel responsible for providing an optimal long-term solution for the lifeline between the island and the shore. That is why we are continuing to develop our services, and this new vessel is a good example.”
In related news, Brittany Ferries’ new LNG-electric hybrid ship, the Saint-Malo, recently entered service on the company’s Portsmouth-St Malo route. According to the company, it’s the largest hybrid vessel ever to enter service. Click here to read the full story.