Norwegian shipbuilder, Vard, on Tuesday said it has won a contract for the construction of two LNG-fueled car and passenger ferries for Torghatten Nord.
According to Vard’s statement, the contract for the two vessels is valued at NOK 600 million (Approx. US$70 million).
The new car and passenger ferries are designed for 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.
Delivery of the ferries is scheduled from Vard Brevik in Norway in the third quarter of 2018 and the fourth quarter of 2018 respectively. The hulls of the vessels will be built by Vard Braila in Romania.
The vessels will feature a combination of LNG propulsion and battery systems to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, meeting the latest requirements for energy efficiency.
The ferries are intended to be used on the Halhjem-Sandvikvåg crossing, where Torghatten Nord has been awarded a five-year contract with the Norwegian government.
Torghatten Nord is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torghatten ASA. The company operates seagoing public transportation with a total of 47 express boats and ferries in the counties Nordland and Troms in Norway.
1 NOK = 0.116540 USD