Norwegian ferry company The Fjords has taken delivery of its zero-emissions passenger vessel Future of The Fjords.
Measuring 42 metres by 15 metres, the all-electric catamaran will begin operations in mid-May, making about 700 round trips along the UNESCO World Heritage-listed fjord route between Flåm and Gudvangen.
Designed and constructed by Norwegian shipyard Brødrene Aa, Future of The Fjords cost NOK144 million (US$18.3 million) and is the sister ship to the 2016-launched Vision of The Fjords.
The Fjords Chief Executive Rolf Sandvik said the vessel is propelled by two 450kW electric motors, enabling cruising speeds of 16 knots.
The Fjords and Brødrene Aa have developed a 40-metre by five-metre charging solution known as the "power dock". The floating fibreglass dock will sit in the water at Gudvangen, housing a 2.4MWh battery pack that allows the vessel to recharge in 20 minutes.
