Klaipėda’s Western Baltija Shipbuilding, the group company of Western Shipyard, has signed a contract with Norway’s ferries specialist Torghatten Nord AS to build an all-electric ferry.
This all-electric vessel, equipped with batteries, will serve for transportation for passengers, vehicles, and cargo between Norwegian islands.
Spanning 73.3 meters in length and 14.3 meters in width, the ferry is scheduled for completion by the first quarter of 2026.
The ferry designation is NSD 50CFb, developed by The Norwegian Ship Design Company in close collaboration with Torghatten Nord.
The building process will involve collective expertise of various companies within the Western Shipyard Group.
The subsidiary Western Baltic Engineering has been entrusted with the task of developing detailed blueprints and construction documentation, while other entities within the organization will contribute their expertise.
Arnoldas Šileika, chief executive at Western Shipyard Group, said: “With over 70 years of shipbuilding experience in Klaipeda, including numerous turnkey ferry projects, this vessel represents a significant new step.”
Vitalij Frolov, director of Western Baltija Shipbuilding, emphasizes that this project not only aligns with current shipping trends but also underscores over 70 years of shipbuilding legacy in Klaipeda, including multiple turnkey ferry projects.
“We appreciate the longstanding trust between Lithuanian shipbuilders and Norwegian counterparts, as evidenced by the contract with Torghatten Nord AS. We’re entering the electric ship market as active participants in the evolving global marine engineering industry, eager to leverage our experience, knowledge, and collaborative potential to deliver a high-value product for the Norwegian market’, said V. Frolov.
Source: Western Shipyard Group
