Solar ferry Missunde III: expensive eco-fiasco on the Baltic Sea!

Solar ferry Missunde III: expensive eco-fiasco on the Baltic Sea!

In Schleswig-Holstein, the solar ferry “Missunde III” is causing a stir, which was intended as an environmentally friendly innovation but is now facing a costly debacle. After the ferry, which was planned for 3.3 million euros, was designed for water tourism on the Baltic Sea, it turns out that it has massive problems with its maneuverability in wind and currents. This has meant that the ferry cannot even cross the Baltic Sea fjord, severely limiting its function as a shuttle in the region.

The anticipation of a modern, environmentally friendly solution is clouded by the poor technical characteristics of the ferry. According to reports from theKiel NewsThe “Missunde III” lacks the basic ability to meet the requirements on the water. The responsible authorities, namely the State Office for Coastal Protection, have also rejected the allegations of poor planning or design errors. “Everyone involved acted with the best of their knowledge,” said spokesman Wolf PaarmannHamburger Abendblatt. A spokesman for the Ministry of Economic Affairs explained that the current conditions were apparently underestimated when planning the ferry.

The financial consequences

With the “Missunde III” now staying in the shipyard, the old diesel ship “Missunde II” has come back into play, but not without a high price. It had to be retrieved from a previous sale, which cost €100,000 - a loss of €83,000 after the ship had previously been sold for €17,000. Despite the difficulties, the old ferry offers a certain buffer as it has a permit until 2028. State Secretary for Transport Tobias von der Heide commented positively on this development, but drew attention to the technical condition of the ship, which now also has to go to the shipyard.

The condition of the “Missunde II” should no longer be taken lightly, as the repairs that continue to be required are essential. Meanwhile, the ferry operator, Rüdiger Jöns, hopes for the solar ferry to be successfully put into operation, which could possibly be realized by the end of 2025. The planned technical retrofit, which includes two transverse thrusters, could make the ship easier to control.

Residents are campaigning for the old ferry

Unrest is growing among local residents, who are becoming increasingly frustrated by the uncertain future of the solar ferry. For this reason, some citizens have started a signature campaign to demand that “Missunde II” continue to operate indefinitely. Many residents believe that the old ferry should continue to operate to ensure more reliable traffic. The constant alternation between hope and frustration has caused resentment in the town, as citizens hope for a continued solution to the transportation issue.

In summary, the “Missunde III” project has so far been a painful example of the challenges of the German transport transition. While the hope for climate-friendly mobility initially seemed glorious, the practical results were unsatisfactory. Stakeholders and residents are now faced with the urgent need to find solutions that are both economically and practically viable. Details about the challenges surrounding the solar ferry and the experiences associated with it are can be read at www.merkur.de.