Norwegian owner The Fjords is delaying a cruiseship launch after problems with shoreside battery supply in Oslo.
The company had planned to take delivery of the 400-passenger all-electric Legacy of The Fjords from shipyard Brodrene Aa on 2 July.
But it said issues finalising the required battery-loading infrastructure within the Oslo harbour area had led to a reappraisal of the launch schedule.
The company, which currently operates 11 vessels serving western Norway’s fjords area, has now pushed delivery back to 1 May 2020.
Legacy of the The Fjords will be its second all-electric vessel.
“It’s naturally disappointing to have to delay this launch,” said acting CEO Vidar Haustaker.
"But at the same time it is vitally important to have everything in place for this environmentally friendly, energy efficient and breathtaking new craft.
“To maximize the commercial potential of the launch we, with the backing of Brodrene Aa, have decided to hold back its arrival until 2020 so we can gain the optimal value from a full high-season of operations. Our close partnership with the yard has enabled us to reach this joint decision, ensuring that all the elements are in place for a maximum impact launch – with a vessel unlike anything else on the capital city’s fjord – in 2020.
Brodrene Aa CEO Tor Oyvind Aa said: “The Fjords is an important customer and valued partner and we look forward to the on-going development of our productive, and ground-breaking, working relationship.
"Legacy of The Fjords’ delay does not impact upon the business adversely, as our highly skilled staff have on-going projects filling capacity at the company yard in Hyen. We will now focus our efforts on ensuring a successful launch in 2020.”
The Fjords is jointly owned by tourist body Flam and Saevik-family backed ferry company Fjord1.
Last month, Rolf Sandvik quit as CEO of the company, whose first three operating years generated a combined profit before tax of NOK 53m ($6.16m) against a total turnover of NOK 383m.
However, in 2018, the company admitted it had faced challenges in sales, operations and profitability, partly as a result of price competition from traditional tourist vessels, while moving into new operational areas proved more challenging than anticipated.
