New hybrid ferry enhances Torghatten Nord’s low-emission fleet strategy
Polish shipyard Remontowa Shipbuilding has delivered ‘Bjarkøy’, a new hybrid passenger-car ferry to Norwegian operator Torghatten Nord, marking another milestone for the Gdańsk-based yard in the expanding low-emission ferry segment.
The hybrid passenger-car ferry was handed over on March 18 and forms part of Torghatten Nord’s continued investment in sustainable coastal transport. Construction began in May 2024 and progressed on schedule, with keel laying following in July. The ferry was subsequently launched roughly a year later, maintaining the yard’s track record for timely project execution.
Named after the island of Bjarkøy in northern Norway, the vessel underscores its intended role in serving local communities. The name also reflects the operator’s strong regional ties and the importance of reliable, environmentally conscious connections along Norway’s rugged coastline.
The Bjarkøy ferry is equipped with two azimuth thrusters with vertically mounted electric motors, powered by batteries with a total capacity of approximately 2.3 MWh. As an emergency measure, the ferry is equipped with two generators that ensure full operation of the vessel in the event of a battery power outage. In standard operation, the batteries will be recharged from the shore power grid during unloading and loading. This will occur relatively frequently, as a single crossing will last no more than 12 minutes.
The ferry was built to a design developed by The Norwegian Ship Design Company AS, with detailed working documentation provided by Remontowa Marine Design & Consulting, part of the Remontowa Holding group.
