The City Boat Project is a central part of Eigersund municipality's commitment to sustainable urban development. The goal is to improve the infrastructure for more environmentally friendly and accessible transportation to and from Eigerøy while also aiming to enhance public transportation solutions. The project has addressed challenges related to financing, mobility, charging infrastructure, dock installations, and passenger demand.

An important ambition is to reduce traffic in Egersund by a significant 40% by 2030. The core of this initiative involves the introduction of electric water buses, which will help reduce traffic congestion, decrease carbon emissions, and improve both passenger and freight transport. This project holds significant potential to stimulate green economic development.

Eigersund has secured funds from Rogaland County Council's regional business fund to develop the project description and process. Additionally, the municipality has received climate support in two separate grants: first for a pilot project and then a substantial 7 million Norwegian Kroner to realize the main project.

The implementation of the project will not only bring obvious climate benefits but also contribute to increasing:

• Attractiveness as a place to live

• Attractiveness for businesses

• Attractiveness for visitors

The city has already taken significant steps in the right direction in recent years, including:

• Dialogue with residents

• Consultation with the business community

• Participation in the national water bus project (ZAWAS)

• Conducting a separate pre-project/opportunity study by Nordic Edge and Cowi

• Collaboration with academic institutions and similar projects in other Norwegian cities

• A brief period of boat test runs

Despite the allocated funds, the project has taken time to get properly underway, mainly due to the need for additional financing to acquire or lease boats that meet the project's objectives. There is currently active engagement with stakeholders to secure the necessary funding. The project has also evolved from being technology-focused to prioritizing solutions for mobility challenges, as a result of collaboration with Haugesund and Stavanger through the Water Bus in Rogaland project.