VESSEL REVIEW | Ryfylke – Double-ended electric ferry enters service with Norway’s Norled

Norwegian shipping company Norled recently took delivery of its newest electric ferry, the LMG Marin-designed Ryfylke.

Built locally by Westcon Yards, the aluminium-hulled, double-ended newbuild is being operated by transport company Kolumbus on behalf of Norled. The vessel will operate on a daily service within the various small islands of its namesake Ryfylke district that lies just north of the city of Stavanger, though it is also slated to serve as a lifeline vessel providing transportation between the islands in the event of a storm. The ferry is also designed to easily integrate with the existing quay infrastructure on the islands without the need for specialised equipment.

The DNV-classed Ryfylke has a length of 45.4 metres, a beam of 11.9 metres, a crew of five, and capacity for 96 passengers, 27 cars, and two trailers. Power is provided by a Seam 4,000kWh lithium-ion battery pack that drives two Schottel SRE210L azimuthing L-drives while backup propulsion is available in the form of Nordhavn biodiesel-fuelled engines, which will only be used during sailings in bad weather or when the batteries are inoperative. Alfa Laval Nordic supplied the cooling system for the propulsion.

The large battery capacity was preferred as it minimised the need for chargings during daytime when the vessel would normally be operated. Chargings are therefore to be conducted mainly overnight via shore power connection.

Vehicles and other cargo are loaded and unloaded via ramps and a deck crane. Another special ramp is available for use at quays that have inadequate facilities for handling rolling freight.

Vestnes Ocean delivered and completed an interior accommodation package that includes furniture design, interior decorating, and insulation in all passenger and technical areas.

For emergencies, the ferry is equipped with a Palfinger Marine MOB boat with davits, evacuation systems from Survitec, water mist and foam firefighting systems from Raft Suppression, Novec extinguishers from Alf Lea and Co, and other rescue equipment from Viking Norsafe. Libra-Plast, IMS, and Baggerod meanwhile supplied the doors and AF AeronMollier provided the HVAC. Jotun paint was used on the exterior surfaces.

The electronics suite includes navigation and communications equipment from Furuno and Simrad. Electrical installation works were carried out by Westcon Power and Automation.

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