By
Rebecca Gibson |
STX Finland has delivered Oslofjord to ferry operator Fjord Line after completing extensive renovation and conversion work.
Built in Norway in 1993, the 134 metre ship has been converted from a ‘night ferry’ to a ‘day cruise ferry’ during the €30 million project. To do this, STX converted two cabin decks into public spaces, quadrupling the tax-free area and increasing the number of cafeterias and restaurants. The third deck was also extended to add the new Fjord of Coffee area, while a middle car deck was installed to provide additional parking space. All of the interior alterations were designed by the Norwegian Falkum-Hansen Design.
STX also renovated the ship’s exterior, increasing her window areas and covering the funnel with aluminium. The conversion has significantly increased the ship’s capacity and she is now able to accommodate 1,800 passengers and 370 cars.
“The conversion implemented on the ship was extremely extensive and demanding,” said Kari Toivonen, project manager, STX Finland. “The basic design needed to be almost completely reviewed and the project was executed on a turnkey basis. We are very satisfied being able to hand over this totally renewed ferry to Fjord Line.”
Oslofjord will enter service in June 2014 and operate on the route between Sandefjord in Norway and Strömstad in Sweden.
“Now the MS Oslofjord looks like a brand new ship, and we are looking forward to introducing her to our passengers, truck drivers and freight shippers,” said Marcus Pettersson, Fjord Line director for the Sandefjord-Strömstad route.