LDA orders ferry from Singapore yard

French shipping company Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) has ordered a new roro ferry for its LD Lines subsidiary, which currently operates the services between the UK ports of Portsmouth and Newhaven and the French ports of Le Havre and Dieppe. The newbuilding has been designed specifically for the Portsmouth/Le Havre service, based on the company’s experience with its existing vessel on the route, Norman Spirit (ex P&O Stena Pride of Aquitaine).

The contract, which includes an option for a second ship, has been placed at the Singapore Technologies Marine yard, which is currently building two specialised 126.50 metre roro ships for the LDA/Leif Hoegh joint venture transporting oversized components for Airbus Industries.

The new ferry will have a capacity of 900 passengers and 1,500 lane metres of freight. It will be equipped with 160 cabins and additional accommodation will be provided by a lounge area fitted with fully-reclining airline-style seat/beds, a concept which LD Lines installed on the Norman Spirit to overcome a shortage of sleeping accommodation, and which the company says has proved highly successful. A range of restaurants and bars will be provided, including a 500 m2 sun deck with bar. No delivery date has yet been announced.