Bastø VI ready for departure after completing successful sea trials

During the summer of 2020, Westcon Yards signed a contract with shipping company Bastø Fosen for the hybridization of two passenger ferries; Bastø IV and Bastø VI.

First up was Bastø IV, which was delivered back to the shipping company October 6th, 2021.

Project Manager, Kolbein Lunde, explains that the hybridization is in line with the green shift and Westcon Yards' investments in green, maritime solutions.

- The ferry runs on electricity from on-shore charging stations, and charges every time she docks to receive new passengers. The electricity is then stored on batteries onboard with enough energy to get from Horten to Moss before she needs to charge again.

The work of converting Bastø VI from diesel to hybrid operations was set to be completed between 02.11.2021 and 31.03.2022. The progress plan for this project determined that the sea trials should start 24.03.2022 - and at 08.06 Thursday the 23rd of March, Bastø VI left the quay for her sea trials.

- Westcon managed to deliver on time, and the sea trials went perfectly - Bastø VI works well, says Lunde.

The shipping company Bastø Fosen is rich in tradition and is the daughter company of Torghatten ASA. Bastø Fosen transports over 3,7 million passengers and 1,8 million vehivles each year. The number of yearly ferry departures between Horten and Moss is around 36 000, with a total diesel consumption of aprox. 8,5 million litres. In addition to the conversion of the two ferries, Bastø Fosen has also invested in a brand new, fully electric ferry. When all three ferries are operational, the fuel consumption on this ferry connection will be reduced by 75%.

A good collaboration is the key to success, says Lunde;

- We at Westcon Project Bastø VI wish to thank everyone for a great collaboration, which has resulted in great progress and an excellent passenger ferry, he says.

Among others, these companies contributed to the completion of both ferries:

BKS Industri ASDNV AS

Kongsberg Maritime CM AS, Avd Ulsteinvik

Pro Stål Construction AS

Siemens Energy AS

Sunnhordland Sandblåsing AS

Teknotherm AS

Tnsdc AS

Vestnes Ocean AS

VMS Group AS

Westcon Power & Automation AS