Vard Group AS (Vard), designer and shipbuilder of offshore and specialized vessels, says it has secured contracts for the construction of two LNG powered car- and passenger ferries for seagoing transit company Torghatten Nord of Norway. The total contract value amounts to approximately NOK 600 million (USD 69.5 million).
The new ferries are designed for environmentally friendly operations in the Norwegian fjords, with a total capacity that is able to accommodate up to 180 cars and 550 passengers and crew. The ferries of Multi Maritime MM 125FD design will measure 130 meters in length with a beam of 20.7 meters, and will have a speed of approximately 18 knots.
Vard CEO and Executive Director Mr. Roy Reite says his company looks forward to the project which combines LNG propulsion and battery systems: “VARD has long experience in building LNG powered and dual-fuel vessels. We delivered the world’s first LNG powered car- and passenger ferry back in the year 2000, and have delivered a broad range of ships using this innovative technology since, including offshore vessels, ferries and a fish feed carrier.”
Delivery of the ferries is scheduled from Vard Brevik in Norway in 3Q 2018 and 4Q 2018 respectively. The hulls of the vessels will be built by Vard Braila in Romania. They will be equipped with hybrid gas-electric propulsion with battery systems to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, meeting the latest requirements for energy efficiency.
The ferries are intended to be used on the busy Halhjem-Sandvikvåg crossing, where Torghatten Nord has been awarded a five-year contract with the Norwegian government. Typical service speed for the route will be 17-18 knots.
(Source: Vard Group AS)
