The hull of the 160 m-long ferry, welded in Gdynia by Crist, has landed in the Norwegian Ulstein shipyard, where it will be outfitted over the coming months in order to hand it over to Color Line next summer.

Once commissioned, the new vessel will serve the route between Strömstad in Sweden and Sandefjord in Norway. The ferry will be a plug-in hybrid, sailing on battery power in and around Sandefjord as well as connecting to onshore power supply while berthed in the Norwegian port.

Color Hybrid will be able to take on-board up to 2,000 passengers and carry 500 cars.

"In about half a year, this magnificent hull will be a flagship for the natural environment and for innovation for the Norwegian maritime industry," Trond Kleivdal, CEO, Color Line, said.

Gunvor Ulstein, CEO, Ulstein Group, added to this by commenting on the wider socioeconomic benefits of building the ferry, "When Color Line chose Ulstein Verft for the construction of the Color Hybrid, the ripple effect for subcontractors and cooperative partners, both regionally and nationally, is very high. At Ulstein Verft alone, approx. 400-500 people will be involved in this project. Every workplace in the shipbuilding industry generates more than 5 workplaces in the private and public sectors. This creates the firm base for a viable region, and provides significant tax revenues for the Norwegian state and municipalities."

Photo: Ulstein Group