Havila Voyages has contracted another two Norwegian coastal route vessels with the Turkish shipyard Tersan.
Their construction is due to start in a few weeks and deliveries are scheduled for towards the end of 2021, the company said.
They effectively replace the order placed with Spanish shipyard Barreras for two ships. Work has now ceased, due to the yard’s financial problems.
From 2021, Havila Voyages will operate four vessels on the classic voyage between Bergen and Kirkenes.
Two vessels were originally ordered at Tersan and two at Barreras.
Havila Voyages CEO, Arild Myrvoll said that Tersan has the capacity to start the construction process soon and that the yard has all the documentation they need in addition to experience from the first two vessels.
“What we have seen of Tersan so far in terms of its construction of the first two vessels looks very promising. They stick to the schedule and their work is high quality,” he said.
Myrvoll also pointed out that Havila Voyages and Tersan are preparing the ground and clarifying the details for the two first vessels. ”This has several advantages and gives us confidence that the third and fourth vessels will be at least as good as the first two.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Barreras, Havila Voyages has sufficient equity and loan approval to fully finance all four vessels at Tersan, the company claimed.
Myrvoll said that Barreras’s financial problems and the suspension of construction at the Spanish yard have led to challenges for Havila Voyages that will affect early operations.
“Two new vessels will be delivered and are scheduled to sail from January, 2021. These will give our passengers the most environmentally-friendly voyages along the Norwegian coast. While we wait for the next two vessels, we will use replacement vessels, and provide good and safe transport and meet our customers’ expectations.”
Havila Voyages said that it had inspected several potential replacement vessels, and the company was in ongoing commercial dialogue with stakeholders.
“We expect a decision to be made soon, but will take the time necessary to ensure that we can provide the best solutions to both our passengers and crew, even if the replacement vessels are only used for a limited period,” Myrvoll said.
