The pusher vessel with a completely new
energy system
The development of the ELEKTRA canal pusher vessel, whose technical and economic feasibility was assessed by BEHALA and TU Berlin, focused on Germany’s climate policy objectives. The aim was to bring inland waterway transport into solutions for logistical challenges. The concept was an emission-free vessel with hybrid electric propulsion, serving as a demonstrator in the Berlin-Brandenburg region and on the route between Berlin and Hamburg.
ELEKTRA’s unique main propulsion system and onboard energy supply for freight transport make it stand out. As an emission-free working vessel, it serves as a model for meeting environmental requirements in sensitive regions. Its forward-looking energy concept can also be transferred to freight, passenger and recreational vessels.
Construction took place at the Hermann Barthel GmbH shipyard in Derben…
Milestone on 22 March 2021
…out of the hall… onto the slipway… and now final fitting-out begins…
Next milestone reached:
Launch on 27 May 2021
The Institut für Talententwicklung took a close look at the project shortly before the launch and made this film.
Arrival at Westhafen on 8 December 2021
After almost two years of construction and a three-day transfer to Berlin’s Westhafen, testing of this unique, innovative and emission-free pusher vessel can now begin.
Nautical acceptance completed
ELEKTRA underwent nautical acceptance in Berlin at the end of January 2022 and was approved to operate in different convoy formations.
Official christening of ELEKTRA on 16 May 2022 at Berlin’s Westhafen
BEHALA Managing Director Petra Cardinal welcomed approximately 250 guests gathered at Harbour Basin II. They included numerous representatives from politics and public authorities, project partners and suppliers, the project management agency and coordinator, the port industry and various associations, the press, and members of the supervisory board and the workforces.
In his opening address, Federal Transport Minister Dr Volker Wissing spoke about the importance of hydrogen mobility in achieving the German government’s climate protection objectives. “ELEKTRA is a flagship project: it is the world’s first pusher vessel to combine battery electric propulsion with hydrogen and fuel cell technology. The entire project is a blueprint for climate- and environmentally friendly inland navigation and a pioneering achievement in both technical and regulatory terms.”
Berlin’s Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey christened the vessel with the words: “I name you ELEKTRA, wish your crew safe voyages at all times, and you always a hand’s breadth of water beneath your keel.” She said: “The world’s first emission-free pusher vessel is an impressive result of cooperation between participants in shipbuilding and energy and propulsion technology. I am particularly pleased that so much Berlin ingenuity has contributed to ELEKTRA’s development and construction. This flagship project shows how innovative ideas can achieve lasting climate improvements on our waterways. Berlin wants to lead the way.”
Further information: