The Klaipeda-based Western Baltija Shipbuilding has signed a contract with the Norwegian Ulstein Verft regarding hull block production for Color Line's hybrid ferry.

The Lithuanian yard has already started cutting the steel. The hull blocks are scheduled for completion in July 2018. Afterwards, they'll be delivered to Ulstein's shipyard in Norway for final assembly.

The 160 m long and 27.1 m wide newbuilding, running under the provisional name Color Hybrid, is to set sail in summer 2019, replacing the ferry Bohus on the Sanderfjord-Strömstad service. She'll be able to take on-board up to 2,000 passengers, as well as offer space for approx. 500 cars or other cargo.

The ro-pax will be a plug-in hybrid, in which the batteries are recharged via a power cable from shore facilities. However, there will also be the option of recharging the ferry with the use of the ship's generators.

"This order is very significant, as our company has managed to attract yet another strategically important customer - one of the leading shipbuilding companies in Scandinavia, for which the quality and delivery time are of paramount importance," Arnoldas Šileika, CEO, Western Baltija Shipbuilding, commented.

Photo: Ulstein