Norled orders two diesel-electric ferries in Poland

Norwegian ferry operator Norled has placed an order for two double-ended diesel-electric ferries, based on LMG Marin design LMG 120-DEH. The shipbuilding contract was signed on July 11, 2018 with Poland-based Remontowa Shipbuilding. Following delivery in the fourth quarter of 2019, the new ferries will service the Festøya-Solavågen connection, close to Ålesund in Norway. Featuring a length of 114.4m (375.3ft) and a width of 17.7m (58ft), the ferries will be capable of carrying up to 120 cars and 296 passengers. In normal operation, the full required power for both ferries will be taken from two battery packs installed on board. The batteries will be recharged via a land grid during the vessels’ stay at quay, which will typically be about 11 minutes. A fast-charging solution, either a pantograph or plug-in type, will be used to ensure that the required state-of-charge of the batteries is maintained. According to LMG Marin, which will also deliver the complete Class documentation, the vessels’ generating sets will be used only in case of emergency. The electric system will be prepared to operate them alongside batteries.