Norwegian operator Fjord1 has taken delivery of Skagastøl, the first in a planned group of four battery-hybrid vessels for the E39 Lavik–Oppedal crossing in Western Norway.
The ferry's voyage from Turkey to Norway will cover approximately 3,700 nautical miles, and her progress will be affected by weather and sea conditions.
Fjord1 said the work after arrival will include testing the systems and training the crew.
Deliveries of the remaining three vessels will follow through winter and spring. Each new ferry will enter service individually after preparation and initial testing.
Fjord1 said it will establish stable, conventional route operations before progressively introducing autonomous navigation functions under its development contract with the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
Testing will assess automated tasks in daily operations and their interaction with crews. The vessels will remain crewed, with technology intended to handle simple, repetitive and predictable tasks while personnel manage situations requiring judgement and unexpected events.
The four HAV Design newbuildings will each measure 120 metres long and 18.6 metres wide and accommodate 120 passenger-car equivalents and 399 passengers. They will serve a 5.6-kilometre route across the Sognefjord, with a crossing time of approximately 20 minutes.