BIGGEST DFDS RO-RO FOR TURKISH EXPANSION

Originally ordered as the Gothia Seaways to serve the company’s northwest European shortsea network, the vessel has been assigned to the trailership route between Turkey and northern Italy following the acquisition last June of leading Turkish operator UN Ro-Ro. Displaying full DFDS livery, but registered under the Turkish flag, Ephesus Seaways combines a 6,700 lane-metre capacity with triple stern ramp access to raise productivity and efficiency on a major corridor for Turkish European trade.

The twin-screw ro-ro is distinguished by a fast service speed of 21 knots, realised through the adoption of two-stroke propulsion machinery, and incorporates exhaust aftertreatment plant so as to meet tightening sulphur emission controls.

Ephesus Seaway leads a series of six ordered from Jiangsu Jinling Shipyard to a design developed by Danish consultancy Knud E. Hansen and offering flexibility of deployment throughout the DFDS European and Mediterranean route system. She is the first in an overall programme of nine ro-ro newbuilds booked from Chinese shipyards for entry into DFDS operations by the end of 2021.

The maximum payload corresponds to 450 road trailers accommodated on five decks, the uppermost being the open weatherdeck extending from the bow to the three-quarters aft superstructure. Cargo is handled using what is described by DFDS as a unique ramp system featuring three independent axial ramps over the main deck’s stern threshold and internal ramps on each side of the ship, allowing rapid freight exchange for fast turnaround times in port. Economies of scale and use of modern low-speed diesel technology means that the new freight ferry’s energy consumption per trailer unit is reduced by some 25% relative to existing vessels.

At a time when the ro-ro industry was mainly wedded to four-stroke trunk engines, DFDS opted for efficient two-stroke propulsion solutions, and its latest fleet investments continue on that line. Ephesus Seaways and her future consorts have each been specified with two MAN eight-cylinder S50ME-C diesels developing 11,800kW apiece, providing direct drive to controllable pitch propellers for a 21-knot service speed.

ABB type A270-L turbochargers are fitted to the engines, offering operating flexibility with high-pressure tuning for part- and low loads and increased efficiency in slow- and ultra-slow steaming. Having embraced scrubbers in a wide-ranging retrofit plan for existing vessels, DFDS has also incorporated the technology in its newbuilds from China.

Each driveline is fitted with an ABB variable-frequency shaft generator, enabling main engine revolutions to be set optimally, rather than being confined to a certain speed range. The shaft generator system is also compatible with shore-to-ship power arrangements, allowing the vessel to be sensitive to the local community and environment in port by shutting down auxiliaries.

Ephesus Seaways was due to arrive in Trieste on 11 March after commencing her maiden service voyage from Istanbul two days previously. The second of the Jinling-built class is also set to join the DFDS Turkish fleet in June. The third ship for the Danish group is due to be phased into operation during November this year, with the subsequent trio expected over the course of 2020.

The company also has two ro-pax ferries on order elsewhere in China, at Guangzhou Shipyard International, which is contracted to deliver the tonnage in the first and third quarters of 2021. Deltamarin is providing the basic design for each of the vessels, which will combine capacity for 600 passengers with 4,500 lane-metres of freight deck space. The 1C ice class ships are expected to be allocated to one of the Baltic routes, connecting Klaipeda in Lithuania to either Sweden (Karlshamn) or Germany (Kiel).

Furthermore, DFDS has made a 10-year charter commitment to one of the Stena E-Flexer ro-pax newbuilds booked by the Swedish group from AVIC Weihai shipyard, and due in 2020.

PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS: Ephesus Seaways