Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Berlin’s Oldest Passenger Vessel Enters A New Green Era Powered By Torqeedo

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  • Torqeedo’s Personalized Options crew transformed the 138-year-old Kaiser Friedrich to electrical energy, saving over 150 liters of diesel per working hour.
  • The huge, 100-ton steamer is powered by twin Deep Blue 50i motors and a 400 kWh Deep Blue battery financial institution.
  • The historic 150-passenger vessel will enter common service on 13 Might 2024.

Berlin, Germany — Kaiser Friedrich, a vessel steeped in historical past, was in-built 1886. It not too long ago marked its return to service with a ceremonial christening in central Berlin. In a bid to protect its legacy, its homeowners refitted the historic 30-meter vessel with a contemporary, emission-free electrical drive system by the world chief in electrical mobility on the water, Torqeedo.

The Kaiser Friedrich, a twin-screw steamship, plied Berlin’s waters for nearly 80 years earlier than it was decommissioned in 1967 and transformed into places of work and residential house. In 1986, the German Museum of Know-how bought the 100-ton boat and restored it to its unique look. For a number of years, the Kaiser Friedrich as soon as once more delighted visitors with historic metropolis excursions till its engines, which used over 150 liters of diesel per hour, made operation each ecologically and economically unviable. The museum reclaimed the boat in 2012 and began the seek for Kaiser Friedrich’s subsequent chapter.

In 2022, Volker Marhold and Julius Dahmen, who each have expertise changing historic boats to electrical propulsion, bought the Kaiser Friedrich. In shut collaboration with Torqeedo’s Personalized Options crew, the conversion to an ultra-efficient electrical drive system with twin Deep Blue 50 kW inboard motors and a 400 kWh Deep Blue battery financial institution was expertly accomplished by the Tangermünde Shipbuilding and Improvement Firm in Genthin, Germany.

Beginning on 13 Might, Berliners and guests to the “Athens on the Spree” can get pleasure from an eco-friendly metropolis tour on board this legendary passenger vessel. At evening, town’s most well-known boat transforms right into a floating beer backyard through the 3.5-hour Previous Berlin Beer Night. On-line reserving is out there at www.kaiserfriedrich.berlin

Picture from Torqeedo

Mr. Dahmen, co-owner of the 138-year-old vessel and operator of Berliner Welle, an organization that gives a wide range of historic boats for excursions and occasions, stated: “Whisper-quiet, environmentally aware and freed from native emissions, the Kaiser Friedrich will once more be obtainable to the folks of Berlin. That is the third Berliner Welle tour boat that we’ve transformed to Torqeedo electrical drives, and we sit up for persevering with our collaboration.

“The Kaiser Friedrich is a longtime maritime landmark of the city,” stated Mr. Marhold. “And now it is also a symbol of transformation towards the mobility of the future. And what a wonderful future for Berlin’s oldest passenger vessel, which can now once again welcome passengers to celebrate life with them while enjoying breathtaking views of our beautiful city.”

“Torqeedo’s electric drive and energy management systems for commercial vessels are transforming the world’s waterways,” stated Fabian Bez, CEO of Torqeedo GmbH. “Major cities like Berlin are taking measures to reduce boating and shipping’s ecological, health and climate impacts. But it’s not just happening in urban areas: Lake Constance is working toward a holistic decarbonization strategy, and we see similar efforts implemented around the globe.”

“An electrification project of this size and historical significance is an important step forward,” continued Bez. “Commercial vessels of all sizes can be cleaner, quieter, and healthier for our natural and human environments. The technology is here today. It’s time to go electric.”

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The Kaiser Friedrich, a twin-screw steamship, in Berlin. Picture from Torqeedo

Torqeedo is the market chief for electrical mobility on the water. Based in 2005 in Starnberg, the corporate develops and manufactures electrical and hybrid drives from 0.5 to 100 kW for industrial functions and leisure use. Torqeedo merchandise are characterised by an uncompromising high-tech focus, most effectivity and full system integration. www.torqeedo.com

Press launch from Torqeedo.


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