Zeeland opts for emission-free ferries on River Scheldt

The Dutch province of Zeeland wants to replace the Westerschelde Ferries, which currently sail across the Western Scheldt, with zero-emission ferries. Hybrid ships (diesel/electric) are also being considered. The States of Zeeland unanimously agreed to that proposal on Friday.

The two ships currently transporting cyclists and pedestrians between Vlissingen and Breskens are approaching the end of their lifespan, and fuel and maintenance costs have risen sharply in recent years. The province, therefore, wants to put new ships into service by 2029–preferably emission-free.

Three small and one large ship

Four consultancy agencies have analyzed the situation and propose deploying three smaller ships and one large ship. This allows the carrier to quickly adapt to the seasons: smaller boats in the low season and a large ship in the high season.

The large electric ship would carry 200 people and 100 bicycles. It would be an aluminum catamaran, which remains more stable in bad weather and can sail faster than normal ships of the same size. It would sail about 30 kilometers per hour and take 15 to 19 minutes to travel one way.

Crossing in 10 to 12 minutes

The new, smaller ships would take 40 passengers and 20 bicycles. Two electric ships would be intended to sail three times an hour, while the third small boat could charge.

With a full battery, the ships could sail back and forth approximately three times at 50 kilometers per hour. The crossing will then take 10 to 12 minutes. The current ferries sail twice an hour, taking 180 people and 90 bicycles.

€21 million

The province will develop the plans further based on the advice. It is also examined whether it will purchase the boats itself and keep them under its own management, lease them, or outsource them to a transport company.

The project’s cost is about 21 million euros. The smaller boats cost about 4 million euros each, and the larger ship will cost approximately 8.5 million euros. Similar ferries operate elsewhere in Europe, such as Denmark, Norway, and Portugal.