FSG rallies again with €100 million LNG order

The order is from long-time Australian customer SeaRoad and was signed by video link after nearly a year of detailed planning, the two sides said. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia is funding the 210m long by 29.3m wide newbuild. Construction is to begin in Flensburg this winter with delivery to SeaRoad scheduled for the last quarter of 2023.

The ship, Hull Nr 784, will have 3,792 lane metres available for freight transport and room for 100 additional vehicles. It will be specially designed to cope with heavy cargo and unit weights of up to 100 tonnes. Propulsion is via two 10.300kW main engines of as yet unidentified manufacture providing 22.5 knots. Of 12,183dwt, the newbuild will have 25 cabins with 27 berths on board.

The ship is the third from FSG – and the biggest to date – for the Tasmanian operator. The first was the 25,409gt, 181.5 x 26.6m Mersey II, which joined SeaRoad in 2016. It is powered by MaK 8M46DF dual-fuel engines.

The second, the 209.79 x 26m Liekut of 33,000gt, was delivered as recently as April under a three-year charter agreement with former FSG yard owner Siem. It is powered by MAN eight-cylinder 48/60CR engines.

SeaRoad Executive Chairman Chas Kelly praised the efficiency and operational perspective of the FSG ships and said their “sustainable design, leading technology and excellent quality” were also important elements. Indicating there could be further orders he added “we look forward to continuing our successful relationship”.

FSG CEO Philipp Maracke described the order as as “proof of the shipyard’s successful new start” and as a vote of confidence in its new ship models and expertise. “Our aim is to combine superior quality with superior life-cycle value” he added.

The latest newbuild is just the latest impressive development in the rebirth of FSG Germany’s leading RoRo builder.

The yard was taken over by main shareholder Tennor Holding last autumn after financial difficulties had led to insolvency. Tennor brought with it an order for a Type 4100 RoRo newbuild – a sister to Liekut – for its own account. It is currently under build for delivery next April. An option for a second identical ship was mentioned.

Tennor went further in August with the surprise acquisition of the insolvent Nobiskrug yacht and naval yard in Rendsburg on the Kiel Canal. FSG announced the acquisition was “perfect” and said it would diversify in future into naval newbuilding while continuing to focus on merchant shipping.