Ærø council rejects 680 million kroner electric ferry project, sparking local disappointment

Ferry services between Ærøskøbing and Svendborg in Southern Funen were intended to be green, but a local municipal council has voted against a project estimated to cost 680 million kroner. A narrow majority expressed concerns about the financial burden this would place on the small economy of Ærø. Council member Mads Boeberg Hansen argued it would be reckless, stating, “If we had supported the 680 million kroner, we would have indebted the citizens, making us the most indebted municipality in Denmark.” He suggested that the community could manage with lower costs.

The failed project has disappointed Ærø Mayor Peter Hansted, who noted that there had previously been a significant majority support for it. However, he now believes there is a long road ahead to establish a new consensus for the island. The shift from diesel to electric ferries has become 200 million kroner more expensive since its inception, with total costs now including two ferries, land facilities, upgraded ferry docks, transformer stations, and expansions of harbors in Svendborg and Ærøskøbing.

Current diesel ferries face a CO2 tax of 10 million kroner per year starting in 2030, which adds to the urgency of the transition. Among residents, there is both understanding and frustration regarding the uncertain future of electric ferries. Real estate agent Claus Henriksen acknowledged the financial concerns, while Eva Joanna Brande from Ærø Friskole lamented the loss of a project that she feels has undergone a lengthy, wasted political process. The diesel ferries can carry 42 vehicles, while the proposed electric ferries were set to accommodate 67. The municipality had secured 72 million kroner in state funding for the project, which is now likely lost.