In Norway’s Finnmark region, the world’s northernmost fully electric ferry, M/F Vargsund, has begun operations. The vessel runs regular crossings between the islands of Kvaløya and Seiland and has become the first battery-powered ferry to operate in an Arctic climate at temperatures as low as −25°C.
The first voyage took place on January 1. Despite common doubts about how reliable batteries are in severe cold, the ferry is steadily carrying passengers and cars. The vessel is about 50 meters long and can take up to 28 cars and roughly 100 passengers.
Ferries play a major role in life along Norway’s coast: the country is crisscrossed by fjords and has around 300 to 400 inhabited islands. The project shows that electric vessels can work effectively even in harsh northern conditions while providing an important transport link.
