The vessels are owned and operated by Norled on behalf of Ruter, and the conversion was done at the Brødrene Aa shipyard in Eikefjord.

The electrification of Ruter's fast ferries will provide an annual CO2 saving of 2,600 tonnes.

BARONESSEN will probably be deployed on line B11 between Nesodden and Lysaker within a few weeks. Before it is put on the regular route, the vessel will be tested on the route and the public will be able to see it sail during the test period. BARONEN will be delivered over the New Year. The vessel will return to route B20 between Slemmestad Brygge/Vollen and Aker Brygge. Last year, just over 250,000 travelled with the B11, while there were approx. 160,000 boardings on the B20.

Upgraded vessels with universal design

In addition to facilitating battery operation, both hulls have been extended by around 10 meters and have become more energy efficient, with better buoyancy and less resistance.

The ferries have also received a solid upgrade to the conditions for the travellers, with new furnishings and windows. Both vessels have been significantly upgraded internally with a better universal design. Among other things, there is better space for wheelchair users, wider gangways and lower thresholds.

BARONEN has room for 250 passengers and BARONESSEN 180. There is also plenty of space for bicycles, with bicycle racks for 18 bicycles on BARONEN and BARONESSEN for 20.

- The vessels have unfortunately been somewhat delayed from the shipyard, partly due to capacity problems and component shortages and partly due to time-consuming innovative solutions on board. Now they are finally coming back, with innovative technology and significant upgrades that benefit passengers. We look forward to welcoming everyone on board and hope people will take a look around and appreciate what we perceive to be very nice ferries, says fast ferry manager at Norled Bjørn Egil Søndenå.

From hybrid to battery

The vessels have been converted to sail battery-electrically. The BARONEN will have three battery packs on deck, while BARONESSEN will have two. During the minutes the ferries are docked, the batteries must be changed using the battery changing robot SHIFTR. The first robots are now undergoing testing and are expected to be delivered during the first and second quarter of 2025.

Until the battery robots are installed, operation will be based on a combination of battery and diesel operation, or pure diesel operation.

- The fast ferries of the future must be emission-free. At the same time, they must be able to achieve sufficient speed, and they have such a short dwell time that it is not practically possible to fully charge the batteries from land. Quick battery changes with SHIFTR are our answer to this challenge, says managing director Heidi Wolden at Norled.

About SHIFTR

The SHIFTR robot is the first of its kind in the world. It has a crane that lifts batteries in and out of the ferries within minutes as the passages go on and off. On land, the batteries are placed in a magazine for charging. This means that charging can take place gradually over time. Everything is automated, and the robot is designed to withstand rough conditions, including wind, sea conditions and tides. Work on the robot has been ongoing since 2021. The SHIFTR investment is placed in a subsidiary of Norled.

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