First double-ended ferry fitted with VSPs

Built by the Hamburg-based shipbuilder J.J. Sietas, the Uthl

and

e was delivered in mid-June this year

and

carries passengers

and

vehicles on the isl

and

route between Föhr, Amrum

and

the Schleswig-Holstein mainl

and

.

Each of the four VSP has an input power of 470 kW, allowing a service speed of 12 knots. As this speed is hardly ever needed during scheduled transfer trips, the extra speed can be held in reserve to allow consumption-

and

emission-optimised sailing. Thanks to the extra power, delays or operation in heavy weather conditions can then be compensated by higher speeds over short periods, so that the ferry always runs on schedule.

Due to the shallow depth of the shipping lane, the new WDR ferry has been fitted with four VSPs type 16R5 EC/100-1. For this application, the normal length of the VSP blades of 120cm was shortened to 100cm. Thanks to its lower operating draught of only 1.75m compared to conventional ships, the Uthl

and

e is able to manoeuvre without problems in the ferry ports of Dagebüll, Wyk

and

Wittdün, even if the sea levels are extremely low (maximum draught 1.85m at 500 tonne load).

According to the shipping company, the capacity of the 75.88m long

and

16.40m wide double-ended ferry capable of carrying 1,200 passengers

and

75 cars is significantly higher than that of its ferries

Nordfriesl

and

Rungholt

, until recently the largest vessels in the fleet. The double-ended design eliminates previously required reversing manoeuvres, which proved to be time consuming.