Fjord Line has put back delivery of two new cruise ferries being built in Norway by Bergen Group Fosen to allow them to enter service with Rolls Royce engines using liquid gas (LNG) instead of heavy oil. Now set to debut in May next year, Stavangerfjord will be followed by sister Bergensfjord a few months later to offer a daily service in each direction between Bergen, Stavanger and Hirtshals, plus Skagerrak crossings from the Danish port to Langesund. Each 20,000gt vessel, designed to carry 1,500 passengers with 1,189 overnight berths, and 600 cars, will be equipped with four gas engines, powering a Promas integrated rudder and propeller system.
Fjord Line currently run Bergensfjord (1991/16,794gt) between Bergen, Stavanger and Hirtshals, with 91m catamaran Fjord Cat (1998/5,691gt) on an express route between Kristiansand and Hirtshals.
A new line between Sandefjord, Norway, and Strømstad, Sweden is planned for a renamed Bergensfjord (pictured) next year, the vessel having been built for Norway-Denmark service as Bergen before serving DFDS.
