By
Alex Smith |
Production of Wasaline’s new Aurora Botnia is continuing according to schedule at Rauma Marine Construction’s (RMC) shipyard in Rauma, Finland, despite the current restrictions caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.
“We are starting to put together the last blocks and the construction of the hull is proceeding at a rapid pace,” said Johanna Kaijo, project manager for RMC. “A total of seven of Aurora Botnia’s blocks will be delivered from Gdansk in Poland, three of which arrived at the end of April. We are currently fitting the blocks that were delivered.”
Construction has also begun on the cabins in Rauma. The vessel’s bow gate will be delivered to the shipyard in August, along with equipment including side doors and a moving car deck. In addition to RMC’s staff, approximately 400 workers from the shipbuilder’s network are working on the project, though social distancing rules in Finland have posed challenges in the staffing of extra and rotating employees.
“Our vessel will be the world’s most environmentally friendly car and passenger ferry,” said Peter Ståhlberg, managing director of Wasaline. “It has been a pleasure to follow its construction and to witness how well the project has been advancing. The excellent degree of cooperation between the shipyard and its subcontractors is evident at all stages, and the construction is going forward according to schedule despite the challenges.”
Aurora Botnia is expected to be launched in the autumn.