Sembcorp Marine's zero-emission ROPAX ferries ready to sail

The first three vessels will be used by Norled.

Sembcorp Marine has completed the fabrication of its first three battery-operated roll-on/roll-off passenger (ROPAX) ferries for Norweigan ferry operator Norled.

The group was commissioned by Norled to design and construct the ferries based on the design of LMG Marin. The vessels are 82.4m long, multi-deck, and double-ended, each with a capacity for 300 passengers and crew as well as 80 cars, or a combination of up to 10 cars and 10 trailer trucks. It also considered passengers' comfort and working conditions for the crew.

"The demand for passenger ferries is anticipated to increase, owing to a wide range of factors including the emerging trend of ferries as a viable alternative transport, development in marine fuel technologies, and inclination of consumers towards luxury marine travel," president and CEO Wong Weng Sun said.

"Sembcorp Marine, with its extensive track record and suite of proprietary designs for various types of ships and offshore engineering solutions, will continue to strategically position the group strongly to support the maritime industry's transition towards renewable energy and the adoption of green technologies. This latest project marks our commitment to our customer and their pursuit of green solutions for the industry."

The two remaining ROPAX ferries will be ready within the year.