The dc fast charger has been installed at the Sognefjord quay in Flåm, and can charge an electric boat in around 20 minutes - 10 times faster than a standard charger.

The charger has been developed by Norwegian company Ampserve, and is the first of its kind in the world.

It is hoped that the charger will make electric boats a more viable option for tour operators in the area, who currently have to rely on diesel-powered boats.

The charger is also a boost for Norway's ambitions to reduce emissions from its maritime sector.

"This is an important milestone for the electric boat industry, and for Norway's work to reduce emissions from maritime transport," said Ampserve CEO Stian Meinich.

"The deployment of the world's first fast-charging station for electric boats will make it possible to operate electric boats on a daily basis, and will open up new possibilities for tourism and other maritime businesses."

The charger is a direct current (dc) charger, which means it can charge an electric boat's batteries much faster than an alternating current (ac) charger.

It is also a so-called "battery-to-grid" charger, which means that it can return surplus electricity to the grid when needed.

The charger has been installed as part of a trial, and will be available to the public from June 2019.