EU – Baltic States, Lithuania, Press-release, Transport

Fiskerstrand BLRT AS developed the conception of the ferry, and the design work was carried out by the Norwegian ship design company Multi Maritime AS with the extensive experience. Inland waterway transport ferry length – 109 m, width – 16.8 m, speed – 13 knots. One of the world leading classification societies Det Norske Veritas, with over than 5000 ships under classification, will grant gas powered ferry 1A1 class.

The Scandinavian ferry construction work will begin in November, 2009 and will go on until  January, 2011. The ferry, on the route in future within the Norwegian fjords, between Hallhjem ir Våge (Hordaland district), is known as the environmentally-friendly, because the gas engine operation is based on “green” concept, which is especially highlighted in the European Union directives. The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Directorate General, located in  Brussels, in close cooperation with regional and European level interested countries, aims and promotes to conserve the maritime environment, thus, the new ferry meets the majority of the made demands.

Currently, Fiskerstrand BLRT AS, with 50% of shares, owned also by AB Vakarų laivų gamykla, along with the new order has business package for 8 ferry construction. Since the beginning of ship construction UAB Vakarų laivų statykla (VLS) has already built 17 ferries. At present, three ferries are under construction for the Estonian ferry company Saaremaa Shipping Company Ltd, two for Fiskerstrand Verf AS, as well as the lock-up-stage works on the ferry under the Åland Islands’ Government business order. Total AB Vakarų laivų gamykla ferry construction business package  value makes about 153 million LTL.

AB Vakarų laivų gamykla Company group will celebrate the worthy 40 year business activity jubilee this year. AB Vakarų laivų gamykla Company group consists of 23 companies with different specialization. The Estonian Concern BLRT GROUP is the holder of  the control 92,84% of AB Vakarų laivų gamykla shares. About 1500 people are on the Company group payroll.