Flensburger trailer ships for Italian trade

The vessels, constructed in Germany as the latest iterations of a proven design optimised in terms of both capacity and efficiency, were originally ordered speculatively by the Siem Group, Norwegian parent of builder Flensburger Schiffbau Gesellschaft (FSG). The 4,076 lane-metre newbuilds have since attracted charters from Onorato Armatori, for deployment with operating subsidiary Tirrenia-Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione (CIN).

The first of the pair, Alf Pollak, left Flensburg in early October for final work to be undertaken at Fayard’s Lindoe premises in Denmark, and is imminently due to be phased into the Tirrenia service network. She is set be followed in early 2019 by sistership Maria Grazia Onorato.

It is understood that the vessels will play an important role in transporting Sicilian produce shipments and inward goods via the port of Catania. Tirrenia’s route structure also entails key links between the Italian mainland and Sardinia.

The RoRo 4100 design developed by FSG is a twin-engined, twin-screw freight carrier of just under 210 metres length overall. It has been re-worked in the latest project to provide for a maximum payload of 310 semi-trailers, accommodated on four cargo decks, accessed by way of a 17 metre-wide, axial stern ramp. To meet tougher environmental edicts, scrubber technology figures in the specification.

The propulsive power installation is based on two eight-cylinder models of the MAN L48/60CR common-rail, medium-speed diesel, each of which has a nominal maximum continuous rating of 9,600kW. Drive to Schottel controllable pitch propellers is through Renk RSH-10150 gears incorporating PTO mechanisms for shaft generators. Electrical energy is otherwise derived from a pair of gensets based on 6L21/31 MAN prime movers.

The ability to reduce sulphur emissions to 0.1% while running on heavy fuel oil is ensured through the installation of scrubber plant developed and manufactured by the Finnish company Langh Tech.

The family-controlled Onorato Group encompasses Moby Line, Tirrenia-CIN, Toremar and St Peter Line. Regional ferry operator Toremar was acquired in 2012, while 100% control of Tirrenia-CIN was secured in 2015. Both companies had been part of Italy’s one-time extensive state-owned shipping sector.

Onorato is a practitioner and protagonist of employment for Italian seafarers on Italian ships. Bold pronouncement of that policy is to be found in the slogan painted on the sides of newbuild Maria Grazia Onorato: “Onorato per i Marittimi Italiani”.

FSG ranks among the world’s most prolific builders of ro-ro ferry and trailership tonnage, and its RoRo 4100 type found favour with Turkish operators who had previously also endorsed the RoRo 3750 series and earlier RoRo 3200 and 2700 designs.

Prior to the latest contract, the most recent trailership completions at Flensburg had entailed four vessels based on the RoRo 4100 design, delivered through 2017 and into early 2018. Two of the Siem-owned quartet entered eastern Mediterranean service under charter to Turkish logistics specialist Ekol, and two were commissioned on the North Sea under five-year bareboat deals with DFDS.

PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS—Alf Pollak