VESSEL REVIEW | Mjolner – Hybrid catamaran ferry for express routes in central Norway
Norwegian transport company Norled recently took delivery of the first vessel in a new series of four fast catamaran ferries built by local shipyard Oma Baatbyggeri. Named Mjølner, the newbuild will be operated on Norled’s express routes between Trondheim and Vanvikan in Trøndelag country in central Norway.
Durable vessel with low environmental impact
The vessel has a length of 28.2 metres (92.5 feet), a beam of nine metres (30 feet), and seating for up to 140 passengers including those with reduced mobility. The hull and the superstructure are made from 100 per cent recyclable, seawater-resistant aluminium. The builder said the strong but lightweight material is ideal for the construction of high-speed boats.
According to Bjørn Egil Søndenå, Head of Fast Ferry Operations at Norled, the new catamaran is able to withstand the wind and sea conditions in Trondheim. Captain Joakim Alexander Eide meanwhile remarked that the new ferry represents an improvement over earlier vessels in terms of seaworthiness, noise reduction, and comfort.
The main passenger cabin features a refreshments kiosk, Strigin Säkerhetsglas windows, exterior doors from Libra-Plast and Baggerød, Jotun paint for the exterior surfaces, and seats from West Mekan Produksjon. The deck equipment includes an anchor and chain from Certex and an anchor winch from MB Hydraulikk.
Power is provided by a hybrid electric propulsion arrangement consisting of two Scania DI16 diesel engines and swappable batteries driving Servogear Ecoflow controllable-pitch propellers to deliver a service speed of 23 knots. Initial operational sailings will utilise the diesel engines only, though the ferry will start running primarily on batteries as soon as a new battery swapping robot is installed at the boat terminal in Trondheim before the end of this year.
Part of a growing fast ferry fleet
The propulsion setup also includes a Sleipner side thruster and Humpree interceptors. The onboard electronics meanwhile include navigation and communications gear from Furuno and Vico, a Teca fire alarm, and a Seam automation system. These draw electrical power from a Scania DI13 and a Danfoss Editron generator.
A Novec 1230 fire suppression system supplied by Presto Brannteknikk is fitted in the engine rooms. Space is also available for lifeboats from Survitec.
Mjølner belongs to the third fast ferry series built by Oma Baatbyggeri for Norled. The builder previously supplied a series of three 39-metre (130-foot) vessels for operation in Troms og Finnmark county and another series of two 30-metre (100-foot) hybrid catamarans to serve Norled’s routes in Sogn Fjord.
