The Bastø Electric ferry began operations on the Moss-Horten route in Norway in March 2021. At the time of its launch, the 139.2-meter vessel was the world's largest all-electric ferry, featuring a 4.3-MWh battery and capacity for 600 passengers and 200 cars.
The electrification program for the route included the conversion of two additional vessels, Bastø IV and Bastø VI, which also accommodate 600 passengers and 200 cars each. Bastø IV completed its conversion in 2021, while Bastø VI finished sea trials in March 2022.
The operator, Bastø Fosen, established a shore-based charging system that allows the ferries to draw up to 9 MW of power. By 2023, charging infrastructure was fully operational at both ends of the 10-kilometer route, enabling the three-ferry fleet to run entirely on electricity.
The project aimed to handle approximately 75 percent of the route's departures using electric propulsion. This initiative was projected to reduce annual diesel consumption by about 6 million liters, which corresponds to an estimated reduction of 16 000 metric tons of CO2 per year.
The vessels are equipped with Kongsberg Maritime's Auto Docking and Auto Crossing systems. These technologies utilize sensors and historical trip data to automate docking and optimize power usage, allowing the captain to manage the crossing through a screen interface.
