Fjellstrand books order for zero emission ferry

MAY 30, 2017 — Norwegian ferry operator Fjord 1 has signed a contract with shipbuilder Fjellstrand for design and construction of a fully electric, battery powered ferry of the ZeroCat type.

The ferry will operate the route between Halhjem and Våge in Hordaland not far from Fjellstrand’s shipyard premises.

It will be a larger and further developed version of the MF Ampere, the worlds first car ferry to be driven solely by batteries, which was delivered by Fjellstrand in 2015. MF Ampere has now been in operation for two years and has sailed a distance equivalent to four times around the Equator, yielding valuable experience to help further development of zero emission technology

The new vessel will be equipped for both higher speed and longer range than MF Ampere and will have a length of 87.5 m and a beam of 20.8 m. It will carry 120 cars, 12 trucks and will have a passenger saloon accommodating 296 passengers.

To optimize for lowest possible energy consumption the vessel will be built in aluminum with a catamaran hull.

Delivery is set for fourth quarter 2018.

“We appreciate the trust Fjord1 has shown Fjellstrand for placing this order with us and see this as a vote of confidence to the development Fjellstrand is conducting for future environmental friendly ferries”, says Edmund Tolo, Sales Manager of Fjellstrand AS.