There is a city where the noise of engines has given way to the simple swish of water. A city where passenger boats do not smell, disturb or pollute. That city is Amsterdam. And the silent heart that moves it is often signed Bellmarine powered by Transfluid.
After almost ten years on the canals of the Dutch capital, we can proudly say it: the majority of electric passenger boats sail with our systems. This is an achievement that has not come by chance, but is the result of experience, vision and constant technical work that has allowed us to become a reference in the electric transition of shipping.
Amsterdam has always been a symbol of urban shipping. Until a few years ago, however, much of its fleet was still powered by diesel. Today, however, more than 500 passenger boats are converting to electric, thanks in part to the city’s ambitious environmental policy. Many of these boats are equipped with Bellmarine systems, chosen for their reliability, quietness and efficiency. Shipping companies have found in us a complete partner: clean, certified and ready-to-use technology.
At the heart of this transformation are our permanent magnet electric motors, available in different configurations and air- or liquid-cooled, depending on use. The entire Bellmarine range covers powers from 2 to 260 kW, fitting perfectly for both pleasure boats and commercial vehicles. The most popular models, such as the DriveMaster, are ideal for river and tourist boating due to their compactness, quietness and ease of installation. The TorqueMaster, on the other hand, offers high torque for professional boats, while the SailMaster is perfect for sailboats, with regenerative features while sailing.
Each system is designed to be complete and plug & play: motor, vector inverter, display, control panel, NMEA2000 connection, wiring, switches, and protections are integrated in a package designed to simplify onboard installation and management. The batteries used are lithium iron phosphate (LFP), DNV certified, safe, reliable and ideal for heavy use.
The technology works, but it is even better to see it at work. Several of Amsterdam ‘s fleets are now all-electric and sail with our liquid-cooled DriveMaster systems, while Rotterdam’s modern water cabs, each equipped with two 20 kW motors, carry dozens of passengers every day quietly, efficiently, and with zero emissions. And these are not isolated cases: ferries, boats and public vessels throughout the Netherlands-from Friesland to downtown Utrecht-are also increasingly powered by our systems.
This is not just a technical story, it is a story of choices. Those who have invested in Bellmarine systems powered by Transfluid have decided to embrace a vision: to navigate without polluting, to provide better experiences for passengers, to contribute to the well-being of cities. It is a choice that affects the environment, but also the quality of urban life, the reputation of companies, and the sustainability of transportation.
Today Bellmarine is part of Transfluid, a leading Italian company in electric and hybrid transmission and propulsion systems. A synergy that has allowed us to combine Italian know-how with Dutch long experience in inland navigation. This union has resulted in electric systems that are reliable, powerful and certified to the strictest standards, such as DNV and ES-TRIN.
The year 2030 is approaching, and with it the goal of making urban navigation completely zero-emission. Amsterdam is already well on its way, and we are proud to contribute every day to this transition. Quietly. But definitely powerfully.
