Construction of the second of two new environmentally friendly cruise ferries that Fjord Line has ordered from Bergen Group Fosen has come so far that the ship could be tested out recently in the Trondheim Fjord.
Interior fitting and finishing work on the new MS Bergensfjord has proceeded faster than expected. “As a result we have used the last five days to test the gas engines and other equipment to ensure they are operating properly,” says CEO Ingvald Fardal .
Fjord Line started sailing with the first of the two new cruise ferries, MS Stavangerfjord, in July this year. When MS Bergensfjord is put in regular service in the spring, the company will have almost daily departures year round on two large, modern and environmentally friendly cruise ferries on the routes between Bergen, Stavanger and Hirtshals, and between Hirtshals and Langesund.
“The ships are identical and the lessons we learned when MS Stavangerfjord was put into operation came in handy during the running in of all the technical equipment on MS Bergensfjord. Work at the shipyard has gone very well in the fall, so we have plenty of time to ensure that all equipment is working and that all operational procedures are in place before the first passengers are welcomed aboard,” says Ingvald Fardal. He reports that the ship sailed at 22 knots on the first day of the test.
MS Bergensfjord, like its sister ship, is equipped with engines powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG engines reduce NOx emissions by 92 percent compared to engines powered by traditional heavy fuel oil. Emissions of sulfur are eliminated completely, while particulate emissions are reduced by 98 percent. Last but not least, the technology Fjord Line uses reduces emissions of greenhouse gases (CO2) by 23 percent. So air pollution will be minimal, on the sea and while in port. All these characteristics make these cruise ferries the most environmentally friendly of their kind in the world.
The new ships are 170 meters long, perfectly designed to handle North Sea waves and provide passengers with a smooth and stable voyage. Each ship has space for 1 500 passengers, 306 cabins and a vehicle deck for up to 600 cars, trucks and cargo.
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Fjord Line, January 15, 2014