DFDS Seaways plans ‘Finlandia Seaways’ upgrades

The scrubber system will be installed during the vessel’s next dry-docking, by the end of the year. The company told The Motorship that it has yet to conclude a contract with the scrubber supplier.

The fuel optimisation programme for the 162.5m-long, Lloyd’s Register classed vessel will include optimising the propeller, rudder bulb and fairing cone. In total €5 million will be invested in Finlandia Seaways, with DFDS and Forth Ports spending a further €1 million on upgrading Rosyth port infrastructure this year.

Forth Ports will carry out the necessary infrastructure adjustments to Rosyth to facilitate the double-stacking of containers on board the vessel. This will increase the freight capacity of the vessel by an extra 300 lane metres.

The programme follows a joint announcement in November 2014 by DFDS Seaways, Forth Ports and the Scottish government – represented by First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon – securing the future of the freight route.

“We are very pleased with the investment programme as it will secure a long-term perspective for the Rosyth-Zeebrugge route and enable companies to continue to use a direct, environmentally friendly means of transport between Scotland and the continent,” said Stein van Est, route director DFDS Seaways.