MS Ägerisee sets sail as an electric course ship

A new era has dawned: the motor vessel Ägerisee is now electric. This was celebrated on its maiden voyage on Wednesday.

The MS Ägerisee is now electric: and the ship was launched onto Lake Aegeri on Wednesday evening. This followed eight months of intensive conversion work. According to a statement from Ägerisee Schifffahrt AG, the heart of the ship, the drive technology, has been completely electrified. The diesel engine has been replaced by 28 high-performance battery modules weighing more than 2.2 tons, with a total output of 264 kWh.

The battery modules are charged overnight and between sailings at the charging station in Oberägeri, and the power for the electric motor is provided by green electricity from hydropower, supplied by the WWZ (Waterworks Zug). This not only guarantees an emission-free journey, but also an environmentally friendly source of energy. Around 38,000 kilograms of CO₂ are thereby saved each year, the company adds.

The switch to CO₂-neutral drive technology fits in perfectly with the sustainability strategy of Ägerisee Schifffahrt, which was the first shipping company in Switzerland to be awarded the ‘Swisstainable’ label at the highest level III in 2023.

The MS Ägerisee glides silently across Lake Aegeri thanks to its electric drive.
Skipper André Iten casting off in the harbour
The launch took place in the harbour of Oberägeri    Photos: Stefan Kaiser 
 

Refreshed interior and expanded catering offer
The interior on board the MS Ägeri has also been refreshed: it is now decorated in calm colours that harmoniously reflect the idyllic natural surroundings of Lake Ägeri. And the catering offer has also been expanded: there are now freshly and locally prepared organic dry pasta dishes every day, which are offered as menu creations that change with the season.

The relaunch of the E-MS Ägerisee was celebrated with around 50 invited guests and partners at a maiden voyage on Wednesday. The investment and sustainable orientation of Ägerisee Schifffahrt was made possible thanks to partnerships with the two municipalities of Oberägeri  and Unterägeri, the Zug Cantonal Bank and the WWZ.