PRESS RELEASE | Electrical Ferry Catamarans for Finnmark

Torghatten and Oma Baatbyggeri signed Wednesday 28. August 2024 an agreement for the construction of two new electrically operated ferries. The new ferries are in excess of 49 meters long, has a beam of 13 meters and will carry 95 passengers and 28 cars. The ferries will be built in aluminium.

The ferries will be built by Stord based Oma Baatbyggeri and will be delivered to Torghatten in Q4 2025.

Torghatten and Finnmark County Municipality has signed a contract covering the operation of two ferry crossings in Finnmark. These new electrical ferries will operate between Korsfjord and Nyvoll and between Klokkarøy and Kjerringholmen.

Saving the Environment

The ferries are equipped with battery packs, which can be re-charged from the national power grid, in addition diesel generators provide emergency backup (plug-in hybrid/electrical). The ferries have to meet stringent environmental requirements such as vastly reduced CO2 emissions and much improved energy efficiency.

The latest technology will be utilised, which will save the environment and at the same time increase passenger comfort. The ferry connections will be operated with power from shore, creating substantial environmental improvements, reducing CO2-emissions and achieving savings in overall energy consumption.

The new ferry has a universal design with excellent seaworthiness and has been specially designed and equipped to assist people with disabilities. This includes colour schemes to support the visually impaired, induction loop system to assist those hard of hearing and wide corridors and minimal height thresholds to ease the movement for individuals with a physical disability.

The area
Torghatten’s contract with Finnmark County Municipality, comprises the ferry crossings Korsfjord-Nyvoll and Klokkarøy-Kjerringholmen and have a duration of 10 years.

With these ferries Torghatten contributes to the renewal and modernising of the operation of ferries in Finnmark. Finnmark County Municipality emerges as innovative with a strong environmental focus and this contract fits well with Torghatten’s aim to be a leader in environmentally friendly ferry operations.

This contract further strengthens the environmental profile of Torghatten’s new build program, having invested in 14 environmentally friendly vessels in the last 8 years with more underway, representing additional investments in excess of NOK 4 billion.

Securing employment
For us this represents yard number 552 and yard number 553. This is a ferry concept which is further developed and based on the yards previous yard 540 delivered in 2019.

The project is exciting for Oma Baatbyggeri, because it represents innovation and further development of the yard’s vessel portfolio. Oma Baatbyggeri has gradually gained substantial experience with the design and construction of electric fast-ferries and car-ferries. The first hybrid-electric car ferry, M/F Kinsarvik, was delivered from the yard in 2019.

In terms of employment this project is very important for us, as it will contribute to a steady work level until the end of 2025 and it demonstrates the yard and its cluster of supplier’s competitiveness with other European yards.

The vessel is built in its entirety in Stord and many local suppliers will be involved. BOS Power from Bergen is responsible for the integration of the electric / hybrid propulsion system and the monitoring system on board. Teca AS another firm local to Stord is responsible for the electrical installation on board, while Hardanger based Fjellstrand AS will contribute with the construction of aluminium structures for the project.

Additionally, a host of other local suppliers will be involved. It is important for us as a boat builder to think about sustainability and in this regard, there is a high focus on short-travelled supplies to the extent this is possible. As a rule of thumb each job created in the shipyard creates five jobs in the supply chain. As such the ripple effects locally and regionally in Norway is of great significance.

Torghatten is Norway’s leading ferry company, operating 50 ferry routes with a fleet of nearly 90 vessels. Torghatten is headquartered in Brønnøysund and employs 1700 people throughout Norway.

Oma Baatbyggeri AS
02.09.2024