Norled won the tender for the ferry connections Stokkvågen-Lovund with intermediate locations and Stokkvågen-Træna with intermediate locations after delivering a concept that cuts emissions by up to 90 percent. Three new battery-hybrid ferries will enter the connection in 2027.
– The citizens and businesses in Nordland depend on good transport options and we are looking forward to getting the new ferries into operation. We look forward to the collaboration with Norled to get new and environmentally friendly ferries in place, says county councilor for transport, Marianne Dobak Kvensjø.
The new ferries are designed specifically for the connection and to give the passengers and crew a good travel experience as they sail almost silently across the sea
– We are looking forward to further cooperation with Nordland County Municipality. And greatly appreciates the fact that they promoted emission-free solutions in their tender. Norled has long and good experience with electric ferries and we are looking forward to sailing electrically in Nordland as well, says Heidi Wolden, managing director of Norled.
Three electric sister ships
The three new buildings that will join the connection will all have capacity for 60 passenger cars and 250 passengers including crew. Drette ensures good capacity on the connections.
The battery capacity for each of the ferries is approximately 8,000 kWh, making them the ferries with the largest battery capacity in Norway.
-Norled has an ambitious sustainability strategy with a clear goal of reducing emissions in our ferry and high-speed boat fleet until 2040. This means that we invest in low- and zero-emission vessels. The Stokkvågen-Lovund-Træna tender was therefore a tender we are very happy to win, explains Heidi Wolden
Havyard will build the ferries
Norled has entered into a letter of intent with the shipyard Havyard for the construction of three of the battery ferries and also has an option for a fourth vessel. LMG Marine has designed the boats which will be identical.
– It is very great to be able to announce such news to our employees just before Christmas. The agreement gives us an excellent start for our investment in new construction. In addition, it will give us a long-term perspective which is very important. We greatly appreciate the process we have been a part of together with both Norled and LMG, and are looking forward to the collaboration, says Silje Smådal, sales manager at Havyard Leirvik.
