On January 16, Poland’s Remontowa Shipyard signed a contract with shipowner Torghatten Midt for the construction of one hybrid ro-pax ferry, scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2028.
This ro-pax ferry is specifically designed for navigation in Norwegian fjords, with its operational focus centered on the waters surrounding the Dønna and Herøy islands in Norway. Norwegian Ship Design is responsible for preparing the technical documentation for the vessel.
The new vessel features a dual-ended design capable of simultaneously carrying 249 passengers, 85 cars, and up to 6 trucks. It is equipped with a hybrid propulsion system centered around two podded thrusters powered by permanent magnet motors. This hybrid system is powered by four generators capable of running entirely on biodiesel, supplemented by a small battery pack to meet peak energy demands.
The shipbuilder stated that the configuration of this type of passenger ro-pax ferry can keep no more than three generators operating at optimal load during normal operations.
Additionally, the shipyard plans to replace the vessel’s existing air-cooled batteries with water-cooled batteries boasting nearly 15 times the capacity several years after delivery, enabling the vessel to operate in pure electric mode at that time.
It is reported that Remontowa Shipbuilding has maintained a 15-year cooperative relationship with Torghatten Group companies. The ro-pax ferry currently under construction marks the tenth ferry jointly built by the two parties.