Rødne and Viking Adventure partnership advances low-emission transport with Hyke shuttle ferry
Norwegian ferry start-up Cityboat has placed an order for a fully electric shuttle ferry from maritime technology specialist Hyke, marking a move toward zero-emission transport in the Haugesund archipelago.
The new electric shuttle ferry will be deployed on routes serving the islands around Haugesund, targeting both local commuters and the region’s growing tourist market with quiet, emissions-free operations.
Cityboat is a joint venture between express boat operator Rødne and local tourism company Viking Adventure. The vessel on order is the 15m Hyke F-15 Shuttle, a compact, all-electric craft designed for short-distance passenger transport in coastal and urban environments.
Construction will be carried out by Herde Kompositt at its Hardanger yard, with the project drawing heavily on Norwegian-supplied systems and components, underlining a strong domestic content profile.
Margaret Hystad, owner and CEO of Viking Adventure and Cityboat’s manager, said harbour cruises around western Norway’s Haugesund have already begun, using a leased Hyke sister boat until the new boat is completed. Delivery is expected at the end of 2026. The Hyke vessel offers our guests an unforgettable experience in close contact with the surroundings, free from noise, vibrations and emissions,”
“This is very exciting! We are always looking for new ways to showcase our wonderful city and unique city islands. The Hyke F-15 Shuttle opens a new market segment for us”.
Unlike most electric passenger vessels requiring special charging stations, the F-15 Shuttle can use any electric car fast charger and even regular household electrical sockets. The boat’s light weight and advanced technical solutions let it operate a whole day without recharging.
“The Hyke F-15 Shuttle uses about the same amount of energy as five hair dryers and is in a class of its own no matter what you compare it to. A performance already proven in public transport operations in the eastern Norway city of Fredrikstad. This agreement is a recognition that our vessel also meets the demands of a very quality-conscious group looking for unique experiences,”
Halvor Vislie, CEO of Hyke.
Family-owned Rødne is a leader in environmentally friendly maritime transport and tourism, as well as being a pioneer in electrification and innovative technology for express boats.
Lars A. Rødne, CEO of Rødne says “the company closely followed Hyde’s trial project for several years and that its shuttles make new, smaller routes economically feasible. With its groundbreaking design, minimal energy consumption and low operating costs, the Hyke F-15 Shuttle represents something completely new in the market,”
The shuttle was designed, developed and built in Norway and is considered one of the world’s most energy efficient vessels of its type. It is also designed for serial production, cutting costs and delivery time. It represents a major and important step forward in sustainable tourism.
By using existing waterways, cities can establish new transport links with minimal physical intervention and significantly lower capital requirements.
“It drew a lot of interest and passengers from day one, and feedback is excellent. If things continue like this, there will be more Hyke ferries both in Haugesund and in other cities” Margaret Hystad, owner and CEO of Viking Adventurer Vislie and Cityboat’s manager.
