Meet Ellen - The Electric-powered Ferry pioneer

Ferry services face significant challenges with increasing energy prices and new regulations. So, with the aim of supporting and promoting energy efficient, zero emission waterborne transportation for island communities, coastal zones and inland waterways in Europe and beyond, the E-ferry innovation project was born. 

The Ellen project, Ærø’s electric ferry has hit the headlines throughout Europe. It was supported by the Horizon 2020 programme in 2015 and was completed with great success in June 20202. The ground-breaking EU supported e-ferry now sails 5 times a day between Ærø and Als in the west Baltic Sea and will save 2520 tonnes of C02 emissions a year.

This innovation project needed a big investment. Consequently, Ærø Kommune (Aeroe Municipality) contacted Nordic Innovators to get help with their funding application for the Horizon 2020 Programme. The E-ferry project received a total funding of € 20,000,000. We have enjoyed watching the project grow and are pleased to have helped on its funding journey!