Roro newbuilding from Flensburg

Earlier this year the German shipyard of Flensburg laid the keel for the first unit in a new five-ship series of roro ferries ordered by the Danish ferry operator DFDS. The lead ship in this new roro 3900 design, is scheduled for delivery towards the end of September this year and was named Tor Magnolia when launched on May 23.

DFDS Tor plans to run this 199.8m long vessel on its freight AngloBridge route between Gothenburg and Immingham where it will be one of the largest roro vessels in the North Sea area. Together with newbuildings two and three due for delivery in January and May 2004 respectively, the entry into service of Tor Magnolia will add significantly to the company’s capacity on the route between Sweden and the UK. These three 32,395g vessels will replace the current three ships on this route, all of which were built at Fincantieri as recently as 1999 and 2000.

The last two newbuildings from Flensburg are scheduled to be delivered during 2004 and will be operated on the BritanniaBridge route between Esbjerg and Immingham/Harwich. All five 10,500 dwt Flensburg ships will increase freight capacity on their respective routes by approximately 1,000 lane metres, corresponding to a 40 per cent increase in freight capacity, while an increase in service speed from 21 knots to 22.5 knots will reduce crossing time.

Trailers will be stowed on four decks with a total capacity of 3,831 lane metres with access being afforded by means of an 18.1m wide by 14m long stern ramp. A 4m wide internal fixed ramp links the main deck to the upper deck while a similar ramp gives access to the tank top from the main deck and from the upper deck to the weather deck. Cargoes can also be loaded and discharged through two side doors measuring 4.3 by 4m. In addition there are two hoistable car decks offering 3,772m2 stowage space. The total cargo stowage capacity equals 247 14m trailers and 12 TEU’s while there is also accommodation for 12 drivers in single berth cabins. MacGregor is supplying all cargo access equipment.

The prime power plant consists of a single two-stroke MAN B&W 9L60 MC-C diesel engine producing an output of 20,070kW at 123 rev/min and driving a 6.1m diameter single Kamewa CP propeller. Auxiliary machinery consists of four 8L21/31 MAN B&W gensets each with an output of 1,720kW. A high degree of manoeuvrability is achieved by means of a twist flow rudder, two 1,100kW bow thrusters and two 880kW stern thrusters, all fitted with Kamewa CP propellers. Sea keeping qualities are claimed to be excellent thanks to the fine hull shape, and an Intering tank stabilisation system.

DFDS claims that its new design represents a unique solution in terms of optimum cargo space, high service speed, quick loading and discharge capability, good sea keeping qualities and low fuel consumption.