Karlskrona inaugurates fully electric tour boat

On May 8, 2024, Karlskrona received its first fully electric tour boat, M/F Elleskär, which was launched by Affärsverken. The boat, which is charged with 100% renewable electricity, has been operating in Borgmästarefjärden during the summer. The tour is both silent and vibration-free, providing an improved experience for both travelers and the surrounding environment.

The boat, which is powered by electricity from, among other things, solar cells at Fisktorget, marks an important step for Affärsverken in their ambition to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and reach a fossil-free operating area by 2030. During the summer months, from June to August, the new line will offer trips from Fisktorget via Pottholmen, Dragsö and Brändaholm.

The electrification process

M/F Elleskär was purchased by Affärsverken from Strömma Turism och Sjöfart AB in May 2022, and electrification began shortly thereafter. The work was carried out at Hasslö shipyard, where the old diesel engine was replaced with an electric propulsion system and the boat could be launched and inaugurated in May 2024.

According to Anna Claesson, Business Area Manager for Archipelago Traffic, they are proud to be the first in southern Sweden with a fully electric archipelago boat. Electrification reduces the climate impact and also improves the local environment in the form of cleaner air and water and reduced noise.

A Contribution to Sustainable Development

Each year, the archipelago service carries around 120,000 passengers, in addition to hundreds of charter and event tours. With the new electric boat, Affärsverken hopes to contribute to more sustainable travel and an improved environment. Electric operation has clear advantages over diesel, and projects like this provide valuable lessons both for Affärsverken and other players in marine technology.

- "Although not all of our ships can be electrified, we are looking into other solutions, such as diesel-electric propulsion and HVO fuel," Claesson said in an article in elfordon.se in May this year. She says they have already reduced their fuel consumption significantly in recent years.

The naming

The naming ceremony for M/F Elleskär took place on May 8, 2024, led by County Governor Ulrica Messing. The name Elleskär is inspired by the island of Älleskär, located between Långö and Galgamarken, but adapted to reflect the boat's electric drive system - EL-leskär. The boat started operating its route on June 1 and is part of the city's new, environmentally friendly archipelago service.