Berlin’s iconic ‘Kaiser Friedrich,’ the city’s oldest passenger ship with a storied history dating back to 1886, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Torqeedo, a renowned specialist in electric boat engines, has converted the vessel from diesel to electric propulsion, marking a significant milestone in the shift towards sustainable maritime transportation.
The ‘Kaiser Friedrich’ had a long and illustrious career, serving as a twin-screw steamer on Berlin’s waters for nearly 80 years before being repurposed as offices and living quarters in 1967. In 1986, the German Museum of Technology acquired the 100-tonne ship and meticulously restored it to its original grandeur. For years, the vessel offered historical city tours, but the high diesel consumption of over 150 litres per hour eventually rendered its operation unsustainable from both an ecological and economic standpoint.
The conversion to an emission-free electric drive has breathed new life into the ‘Kaiser Friedrich,’ allowing it to resume its role as a premier attraction for city tours in Berlin. Volker Marhold and Julius Dahmen, part-owners of the excursion boat company Berliner Welle, spearheaded the acquisition and conversion of the historic vessel.
Julius Dahmen expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating: “Whisper-quiet, environmentally conscious, and free of local emissions, the Kaiser Friedrich will once again be available to the people of Berlin. This is the third Berliner Welle excursion boat that we have converted to Torqeedo electric drives, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration.”
The conversion involved the installation of a highly efficient electric drive system, featuring two Deep Blue 50 kW inboard motors and a 400 kWh Deep Blue battery bank. The process was expertly carried out by Schiffbau- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft Tangermünde in Genthin, in close cooperation with Torqeedo’s Customised Solutions team.
Volker Marhold emphasized the symbolic significance of the ‘Kaiser Friedrich’ as a beacon of transformation towards the mobility of the future, stating: “And now it is also a symbol of transformation towards the mobility of the future. And what a wonderful future for Berlin’s oldest passenger vessel, which can now once again welcome passengers to celebrate life with them while enjoying breathtaking views of our beautiful city.”
Fabian Bez, Managing Director of Torqeedo, highlighted the broader impact of electric propulsion on global waterways, noting that major cities like Berlin are taking steps to reduce the ecological, health, and climate impacts of boating and shipping. He underscored the importance of electrification projects like the ‘Kaiser Friedrich’ in promoting cleaner, quieter, and healthier environments for both nature and humans.
