More delays for new Baltic ferries

Tom Todd writes: That news came after the shipyard, P&S Werften in Stralsund, admitted construction and time-table difficulties which it had earlier denied.

Dieter Brammertz, P&S CEO acknowledged that “because of unforeseeable problems … we are not as far on as we should be”. The 169.5m newbuilds, driven by MaK 9 M 32 C engines with Cat common rail, will carry 1500 passengers and freight on 1600 lane-metres.

Brammertz said mainly interior work was affected but that coating improvements were also needed and that one ship had returned to the shipbuilding hall from fitting-out. He also referred to required safety changes which he said had been requested by the owner and were not the fault of the shipyard.

German-Danish Scandlines announced timetable adjustments and continued operations with older outgoing ferries which it said “have become necessary because the construction of … Berlin and Copenhagen .. has been delayed”. It added however, perhaps pointedly, “we expect the yard to overcome the current challenges as soon as possible to avoid any further delays”.

Scandlines said Berlin will now enter service on 1 July 1 while the handover of Copenhagen will be on 1 September. Originally Berlin had been due for naming 9 March. That was postponed to 3 May when both ships were to be named together “to offer a comprehensive presentation” at the same time . That has now also been cancelled. The owner said “we have to adjust to the circumstances”.

In comments to The Motorship in February a yard spokeswoman insisted the postponements had nothing to do with construction problems at the yard. Local media reports have long spoken of possible building difficulties.