STX Finland has completed a rebuild of the cruise ferry Oslofjord for Norway’s Fjord Line.

Formerly the Bergensfjord, the vessel was renamed, and the steel production for the conversation started Oct. 1, 2013. The overall cost of the job was approximately 30 million euro.

The Oslofjord is 134 meters long and 24 meters wide ship, built in Norway in 1993. The converted ship will enter traffic between Sandefjord (Norway) and Strömstad (Sweden) in June 2014. The most significant change in the ship was transforming it from a night ferry to a day cruise ferry.

Two cabin decks were converted to public spaces, which practically quadrupled the tax-free area, and increased the selection of cafeterias and restaurants significantly. The interior changes were designed by the Norwegian firm Falkum-Hansen Design.

One fixed middle deck for cars was added, providing additional parking space. The third deck was extended, and a new area, called the Fjord of Coffee, was built there. In addition to interior design, the appearance of the ship changed as well. For example, the ship’s window area increased, and its funnel was covered with aluminum.

The conversion increased the ship’s passenger capacity considerably. After conversion, the capacity is 1,800 passengers and 370 cars.

“The conversion implemented on the ship was extremely extensive and demanding. The basic design needed to be reviewed almost totally and the project was executed on a turnkey basis. We are very satisfied being able to hand over this totally renewed ferry to Fjord Line,” said Kari Toivonen, Project Manager, STX Finland Oy.

“The Oslofjord looks like a brand new ship, and we are looking forward to introducing her to our passengers, truck drivers and freight shippers,” commented Marcus Pettersson, Fjord Line director for the Sandefjord-Strömstad route.