Boreal Transport signs two new ferries with Norwegian shipyard

    Norwegian shipyard Boreal Transport North AS and Fiskerstrand Shipyard AS have signed an agreement for the construction of two new liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered ferries. From 1 January 2016 Boreal will operate ferry services out of Øksfjord to Hasvik, Tverrfjord, Bergsfjord and South Tverrfjord in Finnmark, the northernmost and easternmost county in Norway.
   The type MM 55 FC LNG vessels, designed by Multi Maritime AS in Forde to meet the open water challenges of the Norwegian Sea, have been commissioned by Finnmark County Council which emphasized a strong environmental response, hence the selection of natural gas ferries.
   The ferries, measuring 62.6 m length and 13.5m wide,  have a single closed vehicle deck with space for 40 cars and a passenger lounge for 100 passengers.
   In addition, as a major gas producer, the ferries will be able to source domestically supplied fuel. The LNG generator set is backed up by a diesel system.
   Boreal’s contract with the Finnmark County Council runs from 1st January 2016 to 31 December 2025. In total, Boreal Transport North operates 35 ferries and speedboats, and these will be the first gas-powered ferries in Boreal fleet.