Read Authentic Ratings for the The-Baltic-Whale

The eagerly awaited 'Baltic Whale' ferry began operations on the Rødby-Puttgarden route on March 10, 2026, arriving more than a year behind its initially scheduled delivery due to construction delays at Cemre Shipyard. The ferry set sail on its inaugural trip to Puttgarden at 8:05 a.m., welcomed aboard by crew members and representatives from Scandlines, along with freight customers looking forward to this special crossing. Equipped with one of the largest battery systems in the world for a ferry, 'The Baltic Whale' is capable of completing its route with zero direct emissions in normal operational conditions. In addition to its environmental benefits, the vessel significantly reduces noise pollution, protecting the surrounding marine ecosystem. Michael Guldmann Petersen, COO of Scandlines, expressed the significance of this launch: "The commissioning of 'The Baltic Whale' on the Fehmarn Belt is a milestone for Scandlines – a day we have been waiting for for many years. We first conceived the idea for a battery-powered ferry back in 2018, and now it's finally here. This is a great success and something we are very excited about. The new ferry is a key component of Scandlines’ Green Ambition to ensure zero-emission ferry operations by 2040, while also providing the stability and operational reliability our customers expect." Designed as a dedicated freight ferry, 'The Baltic Whale' can accommodate 66 trucks across two decks, including the transport of hazardous goods such as industrial products, batteries, cosmetics, and auto parts. This capacity expansion allows for greater efficiency in freight shipping, thereby enhancing service availability for cars and passengers on other Scandlines ferries. With its launch, Scandlines has increased transport capacity for freight units on the Rødby–Puttgarden route by 27%, coupled with improved onboard conditions for freight customers. The ferry completes the 18.5-kilometer journey in approximately 45 minutes, thanks in part to state-of-the-art loading infrastructure that has reduced loading times to just 12 minutes per crossing. The intelligent charging station can activate the ferry in under 15 seconds, regardless of water conditions. Additionally, the vessel is equipped for hybrid operation, featuring diesel generators available for use when necessary. For more details and photos, visit: [Seereisenportal](https://www.seereisenportal.de/news/kreuzfahrt-news-schifffahrtsnachrichten/neue-elektro-faehre-verbindet-deutschland-und-daenemark-eine-der-groessten-weltweit-im-einsatz/), [Søfart](https://www.soefart.dk/article/view/1215976/endelig_the_baltic_whale_er_nu_i_drift), and [Scandlines](https://www.scandlines.de/uber-uns/unsere-grune-ambition/unsere-neue-frachtfahre/).