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New Elbe ferry with biomethane drive: the future of transport in Lüneburg!
On October 2, 2025, the first gas-electric Elbe ferry will be christened in Germany, which uses biomethane sustainably and can withstand low water levels.
New Elbe ferry with biomethane drive: the future of transport in Lüneburg!
On October 2, 2025, a new star will be born in Germany's ferry sky: the Elbe ferry “Amt Neuhaus-Bleckede”. This new car ferry will not only be the first choice for many commuters between Bleckede and Neu Bleckede in the Lüneburg district, it also has an environmentally friendly twist. Because it runs on a gas-electric drive that is based on biomethane - a real advance in the German ferry landscape! As NDR reports, this represents a milestone as it is the first ferry in Germany to use this type of drive.
One can hardly wait for the planned start of operations in 2026. What is particularly pleasing is that this new ferry can also operate at low water levels, which the old ferry “Amt Neuhaus” could not do. This is particularly relevant as the Elbe suffered from exceptionally low water levels several times in 2025. This led to cancellations of the old ferry, which was particularly frustrating for commuters and transport. With a maximum draft of 60 centimeters, the new ferry will no longer have such problems.
Innovative technology from the Lüneburg district
The old ferry, which is more than 80 years old and has been in use for over 30 years, will be replaced in the near future. It will no longer operate for scheduled maintenance work from April 7, 2026 and is expected to be put back into operation in time for the Easter holidays, as Nordkurier reports. In contrast, the new ferry offers a load capacity of up to 40 tons and can transport twice as many cars as its predecessor, including trucks and buses.
The project is being financed at a cost of around 6.9 million euros, with the Lüneburg district contributing around 6.8 million euros. The district's own MOIN Mobility Infrastructure and Operations GmbH is the client for this innovative construction. The Hitzler shipyard, which won the European tender to build the ferry, has already completed a significant part of the construction. A segment of almost 50 tonnes of steel was used to lay the keel, demonstrating the importance and robustness of this initiative.
The green gold of the future
Biomethane is discussed as an often underestimated key to climate neutrality. It is obtained from organic waste and agricultural residues and can serve as a substitute for fossil natural gas without the need for new infrastructure. The advantages are diverse: In addition to climate neutrality, biomethane also enables a circular economy in which waste is converted into energy and fertilizer. As ENGIE Deutschland explains, biomethane is becoming increasingly relevant for mobility, industry and heat supply.
In total, there are over 1,200 biomethane plants in operation in Europe, feeding more than 40 TWh into the gas network every year. The potential for Germany is at least 146 TWh – there is still a lot of room for improvement! The combination of innovative technology and an environmentally friendly drive shows that we are on the right path to making the mobility of the future sustainable.
The new framework conditions in Germany couldn't be better, and the opening of the Elbe ferry “Amt Neuhaus-Bleckede” will certainly cause a stir far beyond the district. We can only hope that the queues at the ferries will soon be a thing of the past and that students and commuters will be able to make their everyday lives run more smoothly.