Denmark is moving towards a greener future for domestic maritime transport, with one of the world’s largest and fastest fully electrified ferry routes set to become a reality in the coming years. This is one of the key conclusions of the Investment Support Scheme 2025, which provides funding to CO2-intensive companies to support their green transition.

In the coming years, Danes travelling across the country by sea are expected to do so aboard electric ferries. Funding has now been allocated under the Investment Support Scheme 2025 to support this shift.

The scheme is designed to help Danish companies that face the greatest challenges in transitioning to greener operations. Over a five-year period, approximately DKK 1 billion has been earmarked for green transition initiatives through the programme.

Molslinjen, which operates the Kattegat connection, is a significant point source of emissions in Denmark and among the CO2-intensive companies that have received support. The company has been awarded DKK 180 million to purchase three electric ferries, which it expects to launch in the years following 2027.

According to Molslinjen, the new vessels are expected to reduce Denmark’s emissions by 132,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

“Now we are paving the way for electric ferries to become a common sight in our internal waters, just as electric cars have long become a normal part of road transport. With the new ferries, we will have one of the world’s longest and fastest fully electrified ferry routes".

Once again, Denmark is leading the way by showing how new technology can be turned into green transition, while at the same time safeguarding Danish competitiveness and jobs,” said Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard.

Minister for Business Morten Bødskov also highlighted Denmark’s maritime leadership. “Denmark is a maritime nation of exceptional strength. We have repeatedly shown the way for the green transition at sea. Now we are setting full speed towards green domestic shipping. With support from the Investment Support Scheme, three electric high-speed ferries will be put into operation on Danish routes.

The government is once again pushing the green transition across the business sector and demonstrating internationally that green initiatives drive growth and development.”

In addition to Molslinjen, Daka has received approximately DKK 58 million in funding to replace natural gas consumption with a biomass boiler. AU Vindmøller has also been awarded around DKK 13 million to electrify its biogas production, which is currently heated using oil and natural gas.