Læsø Municipality cancels electric ferry agreement due to funding gaps

Læsø Municipality has cancelled a planned agreement with Molslinjen to introduce a new electric ferry on the route to Frederikshavn due to a lack of funding. The municipality faces a deficit of over 300 million DKK for the initial investment, alongside projected annual operating costs of 16–20 million DKK.

Mayor Niels Odgaard stated that the municipality attempted to secure more than the 25% state contribution originally agreed upon, but was unsuccessful. While the government has announced the formation of working groups to investigate options for island municipalities, the existing diesel-powered ferries, Ane and Margrete, will continue to operate. This delay may lead to higher costs in the future, as the state has signaled significant levies starting in 2030 for the continued use of diesel-driven vessels instead of green alternatives.