Oslo-listed owner Fjord1 is already planning to order "a lot" of new ferries after winning a lucrative domestic contract.

The company has clinched a NOK 1.88bn ($232m) tender to serve routes between Edoya and Sandvika, Arasvika and Hennset, Seivika and Tommervag, and Kvanne and Rykkjem.

The deal with the More og Romsdal local authority will begin on 1 January, 2020.

Fjord1 had the lowest bid, the council said.

The contract calls for the use of five hybrid electric ships to cut emissions by 75%.

It has been reported that owners would need to build at least four new vessels due to the stringent requirements.

Prices per ship have been estimated at between NOK 600m and NOK 700m.

Fjord 1 CEO Dagfinn Neteland told local media: "For us it's great. But the other companies have an appeal on 19 January."

Neteland would not specify how many vessels the company would order.

But he added: "There will be a lot of new ferries."