The famous 138-year-old Kaiser Friedrich has been officially converted into an electric ship thanks to the Torqeedo team that has thus revolutionized the popular Berlin route. It is a huge 100-tonne steamer that has saved 150 litres of diesel in operation by relying on two Deep Blue 50i engines and a 400 kWh Deep Blue battery bank.
In addition to the environmental impact, what we would like to mention is the historical impact, for a ship that has truly left its mark: the Kaiser Friedrich was born in 1886. It resumed its regular service, carrying its 150 passengers, on 13 May 2024, a day that officially rewrote history.
The choice of this conversion came from its owners who, in order to preserve it, decided to refurbish a boat that had become modern with an emission-free electric drive system. And for a great piece of history, an industry leader like Torqeedo could only come along.
Historical background of the Kaiser Friedrich ship
In its long life, the steamer plied the waters of Berlin for almost 80 years and its glorious career ended in 1967. In 1986 it was restored to its original appearance thanks to the German Museum of Technology, which decided to buy the boat. But its operation had become impossible, precisely because of the 150 litres of diesel it consumed per hour.
But the real stroke of genius came in 2022, thanks to Volker Marhold and Julius Dahmen, who are experts in transforming historic boats into electrically powered vessels. First came the purchase of Kaiser Friedrich, then the collaboration with the Torqeedo team. The transformation phase took place thanks to the Tangermünde Shipbuilding and Development Company in Genthin, Germany.
The new life of the historic Berlin boat
Today, Kaiser Friedrich represents two things: on the one hand, the possibility of enjoying an ecological city tour on board this legendary passenger ship. But at night it changes its look completely when it becomes a floating brewery!
A silent, environmentally friendly and emission-free solution: the Kaiser Friedrich is the third excursion boat to be converted to Torqeedo electric drives. And it will not be the last to become the true symbol of transformation towards the mobility of the future.
Particularly enthusiastic about the project is Fabian Bez, CEO of Torqeedo GmbH, who recalled how this work is capable of transforming the world’s waterways:
“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.”
Commercial ships can then be retrofitted, shaped and transformed to become clean, quiet and healthy. With respect for people and the environment.