Vard announced on 10 January that it has secured contracts to build two LNG-powered RoPax ferries for Norway's Torghatten Nord AS.
Vard has said that both vessels will be designed for environmentally friendly operations in the Norwegian fjords, and will feature hybrid gas-electric propulsion with battery systems in order to reduce bunker consumption and associated emissions.
The ferries will each have capacities for 180 cars and 550 passengers and crew, and will be built according to Vard's Multi Maritime MM 125FD design.
Upon completion and delivery in 3Q 2018 and 4Q 2018, respectively, the two ships will be employed on the Halhjem-Sandvikvåg route.