STX Finland, Fjord Line Sign Conversion Contract

STX Finland Oy and Fjord Line AS have signed a contract for conversion of the cruise ferry MS Bergensfjord. The ship will undergo extensive interior changes which are designed by the Norwegian Falkum-Hansen Design.

Several cabin areas will be converted to public spaces, tax free shop, cafeteria and restaurant areas are to be increased significantly. The four month conversion project will be carried out by STX Finland’s Rauma shipyard. The value of the contract is approximately EUR 30 million. The contract is pending acceptance by the boards of both parties.

”The signed contract is a proof of STX Finland’s strong position as a builder of large passenger ships and demanding conversion projects. This project will give approximately 200 man-years of work”, says Timo Suistio, EVP & CMO of STX Finland Oy.

MS Bergensfjord is 134 metres long and 24 metres wide. The ship was built in Norway 1993. After the conversion the Cruise Ferry will operate between Sandefjord (Norway) ja Strömstad (Sweden). STX Finland’s Rauma shipyard was chosen to execute the conversion based on quality and price and experience in similar, demanding conversion projects says CEO of Fjord Line AS Ingvald Fardal. The ship will finish operation on its present route on 23.12.2013 and will start its new operation after four months conversion on May 2014.

The capacity of the ship after the changes will be 1770 passengers and 370 cars.

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Fjord Line, June 11, 2013