On 15 December 2021, the keel laying ceremony for two electric ferries for Riveer (Gorinchem) took place at Alumare, Poland. The two vessels are due to enter service early 2023 and will sail on the river De Merwede between the cities of Gorinchem, Sleeuwijk, Werkendam and Hardinxveld-Giessendam.
The ferries are designed by CoCo Yachts B.V. of The Netherlands after Riveer contracted them to design a fully electric ferry. The only requirements that Riveer gave the designer was that the ferry had to be 100% emission-free and that at least the current timetable of the ferry service had to be maintained with some allowance for battery charging.
This resulted in a 35.3m full aluminium double-ended catamaran, able to carry 100 passengers and 100 bicycles. After a long and intensive tender procedure, Holland Shipyards Group of The Netherlands has been awarded to build the ships.
