SSW returns to newbuilding

SSW Fahr und Spezialschiffbau in Germany (the former Schichau Seebeckwerft, which was part of the bankrupt Bremer Vulkan concern) has won its first order for newbuildings for more than two years, having been awarded a contract to build a pair of innovative freight/passenger ferries for TT Line.

The 36,000gt newbuildings will be the first ferries propelled by Azipod podded propulsors, an option which has, until now, been adopted on a number of cruise ships, but not on other types of passenger vessel.

The Bremerhaven-based yard delivered its last newbuilding in September 1997, and has survived since then by acting as a sub-contractor on behalf of other yards.