Damen Shipyards Group has completed construction of the first Waterbus 2907 Electric, a fully electric vessel aimed at sustainable public transport in urban waterways. The design brief centres on zero emissions and extremely low wash, reflecting the operational reality of city routes where vessels run continuously, stop frequently, and must minimise wake impacts on other users and shoreline infrastructure.

 

Design Evolution from Hybrid to Full Electric

 

Damen previously built hybrid Waterbuses 2907 that were prepared for later conversion, and says this first fully electric version incorporates lessons from that earlier series. The company highlights improvements in wheelhouse ergonomics and a 1000 VDC system architecture, indicating a focus on both operational usability for crews and a higher-voltage electrical platform that supports efficient power management and faster charging.

 

Hull Optimisation with MARIN to Reduce Resistance and Wash

 

The Waterbus 2907 Electric uses an optimised catamaran hull developed with MARIN, with the design work focused on main dimensions and the spacing between the two hulls. Damen describes the result as slender hulls with a beam of 1.1 metres, a geometry intended to reduce resistance and limit wake generation. Low wash is central for city operations because it reduces disturbance in narrow channels and supports higher acceptance of frequent services.

 

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Lightweight Structure to Balance Battery Mass

 

To offset the added weight of batteries, carbon fibre has been incorporated into the hull to reduce overall mass. Damen links the low weight directly to wake performance, arguing that keeping displacement down helps minimise the vessel’s wave profile. This design trade-off reflects a recurring challenge in electrification where battery weight can erode performance benefits unless hull and structure are redesigned around it.

 

Propulsion and Charging Architecture Built for Rapid Turnarounds

 

The vessel is fitted with azimuth thrusters to improve manoeuvrability in tight, busy waterways where docking precision and quick repositioning matter. Damen and its partners have developed a standard DC system and battery cabinet approach that supports a 1000-volt system for rapid recharging. The charging interface uses sockets already proven in the automotive sector, and the vessel is prepared for the megawatt charging system being developed for heavy-duty vehicles, which Damen plans to test later this year to further reduce charging time.

 

Grid Constraints and Charging Infrastructure as the Next Bottleneck

 

Damen links the vessel to a wider charging ecosystem challenge through its involvement in the Charging Energy Hub project, where it is working with a large group of stakeholders on charging facilities designed to reduce grid demand peaks and relieve congestion. The underlying message is that vessel electrification is increasingly limited by shore power availability and grid capacity, so solutions need to cover both the vessel and the charging network.

 

Market Positioning for Urban Transport Growth

 

Damen introduced the Waterbus 2907 Electric at an event in Amsterdam aimed at clients, suppliers and local authorities, positioning the vessel as a robust platform built for high-frequency routes with frequent mooring and boarding cycles. The company’s framing is that electrification is a practical route to decarbonising waterborne public transport and can help cities create cleaner, more attractive commuter and tourism links without adding local emissions or excessive wash to already crowded waterways.