Multi Maritime has, in close cooperation with the ferry operator Fjord1, launched a new green ferry concept. The ferry is a "plug-in" LNG hybrid, which incorporates several features to reduce its environmental footprint, the Norway-based ship design and engineering company.

It has been developed as part of Fjord1's bid for operating the Lavik-Oppedal ferry link in western Norway. Equipped with two Flettner rotors, one at the front and one aft, the ferry offers significant possibilities for saving fuel, Multi Maritime said. A new hull form and propulsion concept has also been developed: On a double-ended ferry both the forward and the aft propeller usually provide thrust. However, the forward propeller is significantly less efficient than the aft. The new concept has thrusters with controllable pitch propellers that can be feathered, the forward propeller is then feathered and the aft propeller provides all thrust during transit. This is said to significantly increase the ferry's propulsion efficiency. When docking and undocking, both propellers may be used for optimal manoeuvrability, Multi Maritime said.