The world’s largest gas powered ferry was named yesterday in a ceremony held at the Fiskerstrand Shipyard in Norway. Named the MF Boknafjord, the LNG-powered ferry was ordered by Norwegian ferry operator Fjord1 to serve the growing demand to move passengers and cars on the Arsvagen-Mortavika route which crosses the Boknafjord in Rogaland County, Norway.
Fjord1 has been considered a leader in the gas powered ferry market since the first LNG-powered ferry, Glutra, which is operated by Fjord1, was put into service in 2000. In 2006 and 2007, Fjord1 added five LNG powered car and passenger ferries to its fleet and the addition of the MF Boknafjord marks the sixth such ferry for the company. By the end of 2011, Fjord1 will operate a total of 12 LNG-powered car and passenger ferries along the Norwegian Coast.
Designed by Multi Maritime AS of Western Norway, the MF Boknafjord measures 129.9 m long by 19.2m wide and has the capacity for 242 passenger cars and 600 passengers including staff. The vessel features four azimuth thrusters that are run by a gas-electric system consisting of three large LNG gas motors and alternators, giving the vessel a service speed of approx. 20 knots.
Aside from being LNG-powered, the ferry’s hull design and efficient engine technology help reduce fuel consumption and methane emissions by as much as 25%.
“We have an increased focus on environmental aspects in all parts of our company, and look forward to using this modern, future-oriented ferry in our transport network”, says Stig Kristoffersen, Managing Director of Fjord1 Fylkesbaatane, which operates these ferries.
The new eco-friendly ferry, will serve the Arsvågen-Mortavika route on the Boknafjord in Rogaland County, in addition to making sure the Halhjem-Sandvikvåg route in Hordaland County now has a spare vessel.
A surge in traffic in the area prompted the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) to order the new ferry. In 2011 alone, about 2.2 million cars and about five million passengers used the two ferry links.
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