Moving against the trend of LNG adoption in the maritime industry, Norwegian Ferry operator Fjord Line, is converting two of its LNG-only vessels into dual fuel operations due to the high prices of LNG. The conversion will be made at Norway’s Fosen yard and will use engines from Wartsila.
The two ferries getting converted are the “Stavangerfjord” and “Bergensfjord”. They were built by the Fosen Group and were introduced in 2013 and 2014 respectively to become one of largest ships to run entirely on LNG. Both ships are 558 feet long and have a capacity of 1,500 passengers and 600 cars. They sail on routes between Denmark and Norway with a top speed of 21.5 knots.
Fjord Line started reporting problems with their finances back in September. The ferry operator reduced the number of departures of their vessels and reduced their vessels’ operating speed to save fuel.
Fjord Line in a statement wrote that the Russian Invasion of Ukraine has caused significant increases and high volatility in the prices of LNG. They also stated that since they were not receiving any financial aid from the government, their operating costs have risen far above the financially sustainable level.
Brian Thorsted Hansen, CEO of Fjord Line, stated that the engine conversion of the vessels will allow them to operate financially sustainably till the prices of LNG normalize. The reconstruction of MS Stavangerfjord will begin in January 2023 and will end by May 2023. MS Bergensfjord will be reconstructed between February to mid-June 2023.
