From an environmental perspective, it is no longer justifiable to choose the Öresund Bridge

Earlier this week I was reached by wonderful news from one of our suppliers.
HH Ferries announced that they are going to invest 300 million SEK to improve the environment in Öresund. Among various things, they are going to reduce emissions.
Before the end of 2017, the company will install batteries to operate two of their ferries.

This means that the road user driving a fossil-powered vehicle, the environmental impact will be significantly less negative if they choose the ferry between Helsingborg and Helsingör instead of the Öresund Bridge in the future.
Adding to the fact that it is a 50 km longer route via the bridge in Malmö when making your way down to the continent; it is going to be difficult from an environmental point of view not to take the ferry.

The shipping company is among the first ones in the world to transition to pure battery power on these types of large ferries used on high-intensity routes like Helsingborg – Helsingör.

After the realignment, the ferries’ harbor stops and crossing times will be unchanged compared with today. The vessels will be charged at each harbor stop by electricity from newly built charging stations.

The renovation is the largest single investment project in HH Ferries’ history and is expected to amount up to nearly 300 million SEK. INEA, the EU's administrative body for innovation and networking, has chosen to support the project with approximately 120 million SEK. The contribution from the EU has been a key element in the decision to invest in this new technology.

Subsequently, HH Ferries will evaluate the experiences of the first two battery powered ferries and then decide whether the company's other vessels can be adapted to the route's green profile.

The whole conversion process to battery power of the two ships can be monitored at HH Ferries’ website and also in the company’s distributed quarterly reports. The first modifications of the vessels will be made during autumn of 2016 and the actual installation of the batteries will take place in 2017.

Picture: Tycho Brahe // HH Ferries Group