A company based in Norway’s second city plans to build a large cruise ferry with high quality passenger facilities that would reopen a service between Bergen and Stavanger in Norway and Newcastle on the UK east coast.
Called Bergen Cruise Line (BCL), it expects to have the ship in service in 2026.
“The BCL concept is a large cruise ferry of 210 x 31 meters with the capacity of 2 380 passengers and 200 crew combined with a large car deck and cargo capacity. A concept designed for maximum capacity utilization in high and low seasons combined with extensive onboard cruise offerings and revenues,” the company says on its website.
"This leading edge cruise ferry concept is being developed by a highly experienced team with expertise in all aspects of designing and operating this type of ship. The team also has in-depth knowledge and experience with the planned UK - Norway route and market. The ship will be built at a highly competitive cost level by a leading shipyard. The BCL team is co-operating with Fosen Yards and other premium suppliers ensuring solutions and quality adapted to the European market," BCL continued.
Large battery pack to drive down emissions
Automatic control of all-electric motors would save more than 50% energy compared to the last vessel operating the same route, the company said, referringto a mid-1980s built DFDS vessels of just under 34,000 gross tons that was 161 metres in length. The service closed some 15 years ago.
The main power system of the ship would be fueled by LNG and future fuel-cell technology. A 13,500 kWh battery power means that the ship is going emission-free into Norwegian fjords. This would exceed the 11,500 kWh capacity of the battery packs, currently the largest ordered, to be installed on two E-Flexer type ropax vessels that Stena RoRo is building and which Brittany Ferries will operate on bare boat charter. In port, the vessel would be maneuvered entirely on battery power, delivering zero emissions, BCL said.
“The investment estimates are a total of 2 230 MNOK (ship building cost 2 100 MNOK) with 635 MNOK share equity and aiming to exceed 15% ROI (return on investment),” it continued.
The ship would make three return crossings in each direction during the peak season and two in the off season, BCL said.
Photo: cgi exterior of the projected vessel, captured from a video on company website
