Norwegian public transport operator Boreal has awarded a contract to shipbuilder Vard for the construction of a new battery-powered car and passenger ferry. Being designed by Multi Maritime for environmentally friendly operations in the Norwegian fjords, the all-electric vessel will measure 74m (243ft) in length and will have a total capacity of up to 60 cars and 199 passengers and crew. Delivery of the ferry is scheduled from Vard Brevik in Norway in Q3 2019 and operations will commence in Norway in January 2020, crossing Kvanndal-Utne on the Norwegian west coast, where Boreal has been awarded a nine-year contract with the Norwegian Government.