My first trip with the new ferry; Rudkøbing-Marstal, the ÆrøXpress, March 1, 2020

After six years with no ferry connection, the Marstal (island Ærø) - Rudkøbing (island Langeland) ferry route started up again. On December 18, 2019, the ferry had its first official trip. The ÆrøXpressen is a newly built hybrid ferry, prepared for battery operation. The new ferry is run by a private ferry company, and is the result of several years of work by a group of very dedicated Marstal citizens, https://www.aeroexpressen.dk/en/service/vessel In the sailing ship era, Marstal was Denmark's second largest port (after Copenhagen) measured in number of ships and tonnage. Not badly done by a small town of today's 2300 inhabitants. Sailing is also part of the city's self-understanding, and it hurts the Marstallers when the ferry connection Marstal - Rudkøbing stopped January 2013 after nearly 150 years of operation.

Inauguration of the ÆrøXpress 18th of December 2019.

The ÆrøXpress ferry on its way to Rudkøbing.

The view from the sun deck of the ÆrøXpress towards the Langeland bridge.

Ready for departure. In the background the old waiting building for passengers and the new terraced houses where the ruins from the pig slaughterhouse was situated until very recently.

A Google map af the area, with Marstal and Rudkøbing. Upper centre is one of Denmarks main islands: Fynen. Upper right another of Denmarks main islands: Sealand.

A nice view from the sun deck of the ÆrøXpress towards Rudkøbing, the main town of Langeland.

On our way to Marstal. On the left one of the many shipyards formerly situated in Marstal (https://www.hccbaadevaerft.dk/). This one is still functioning, but not building many new ships. Today it is mainly the identity as sailors among the inhabitants of the town, that is remaining from the time when Marstal was the second biggest trading harbor in Denmark. No many cargo ships have Marstal as their home town today.

Back in Rudkøbing.