Norwegian ferry operator Norled has awarded a contract to Norwegian Electric Systems (NES) to supply three 4MW onshore charging stations for its growing fleet of battery-hybrid ferries. The contract, valued at approximately NOK 40 million (€3.4 million), will see the installation of the charging stations at three key ports in Norway, with the infrastructure set to be operational by late 2026.
The chargers will be based on the Megawatt Charging System (MCS), a high-capacity DC charging solution designed to support the rapid recharging of hybrid ferries. These charging stations will play a crucial role in enabling the efficient operation of Norled’s battery-hybrid ferries, which are scheduled to serve the Stokkvågen-Lovund and Stokkvågen-Træna ferry routes starting in 2027. The new vessels will include three hybrid ferries alongside one conventional ferry.
The installation of the MCS-based charging infrastructure is a key component of Norled’s decarbonisation strategy, which aligns with Norway’s ambitious climate targets. The company has been a pioneer in adopting zero-emission maritime technologies, including hydrogen and fully electric propulsion systems. Norled is also known for operating some of the world’s first hydrogen-powered ferries, including the ‘MF Hydra.’
The high 4MW charging output ensures that Norled’s hybrid ferries can undergo rapid recharging during short turnaround times at the ferry quaysides. This capability is essential for minimizing downtime between crossings and helping ferry operators meet stringent emissions regulations in Norwegian waters. The project will bring NES’s total number of onshore charging stations to 30, further solidifying the company’s role in the electrification of the maritime industry.
Mads Ulstein, senior vice president of sales at NES, expressed confidence in the solution: “With the delivery of these three charging stations, we will have built up a solid track record of 30 onshore charging stations. We are very pleased that Norled has opted for our MCS solution, which is a manual, quick, and cost-efficient method for connecting high charging effects. Quick charging is ideal for passenger and transport ferries such as these.”
The ferries will be built at the Tersan Leirvik shipyard in Norway, where NES has also secured a contract to supply key components, including power solutions, battery packs, and navigation systems for the vessels. Siv Remøy-Vangen, managing director of NES’s parent company HAV Group, highlighted the significance of this collaboration: “To be able to support Tersan Leirvik and Norled on this project is something we are proud of. The combination of substantial equipment delivered to the ferries and the onshore charging stations further underscores our position as a complete supplier of electrification solutions to the maritime industry.”