Hybrid-powered double-ended ferry designed for operation in the Norwegian fjords around Dønna and Herøy
Remontowa Shipbuilding has signed a contract with one of Norway’s largest shipping companies, Torghatten Midt AS, for the construction of a modern hybrid-powered passenger and car ferry.
The vessel will be a fully equipped, double-ended ferry designed specifically for operation in the Norwegian fjords, serving the area around the Dønna and Herøy islands. This region is widely recognised for its breathtaking natural landscapes and picturesque fishing villages, placing high demands on environmentally responsible maritime solutions.
The new ferry will be capable of carrying up to 249 passengers, 85 cars, and six lorries per crossing. In response to the sensitive operating environment, the design places strong emphasis on minimising energy consumption and significantly reducing CO₂ emissions, aligning with Norway’s ambitious environmental and sustainability goals.
The vessel, with the construction number B622, will be equipped with a hybrid propulsion system based on two azimuth thrusters equipped with permanent magnet electric motors. The latter will be powered by four generators capable of operating on 100% biodiesel, and a small battery pack, whose task will be to cover peak energy demand, as a result of which the generators (no more than three in normal operation) will be able to operate at optimal load, which will translate into minimised fuel consumption. Within a few years of delivery, the air-cooled batteries are to be replaced by, almost 15 times larger, water-cooled batteries enabling the vessel to operate in fully electric mode. The ferry is already being designed with this future expansion of energy storage in mind.
The Norwegian Ship Design Company AS is responsible for developing the technical documentation for the vessel. The ship is scheduled to be handed over to the shipowner in the second quarter of 2028.
Stocznia Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. has been cooperating with companies from the Torghatten group for 15 years. The contracted vessel will be the tenth – and, we hope, not the last – ferry built in Gdańsk for this shipowner.
Remontowa Shipbuilding has been one of the most experienced suppliers of battery-powered hybrid vessels for many years. Over the past seven years, the shipyard has built a total of six such vessels, with the seventh currently undergoing sea trials.
