Ferry Business - Autumn/Winter 2020

4 0 FERRY ORDER BOOK New orders in challenging times Shipyards continue with construction projects and ferry operators place new orders despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Justin Merrigan reports T he Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has signed a contract for a new ro-pax ferry; the first new purpose-built vessel for the company in over 20 years. The new ship will be constructed by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, based in Ulsan, South Korea. Work on physically constructing the replacement for the conventional ferry, Ben-my-Chree, is due to start in mid- 2021 after detailed plans are finalised and agreed between builder and buyer. Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s chief executive Mark Woodward explains the company has been conducting detailed analysis and developing plans for major investment in the fleet for some time. “Following lengthy discussions, I’m delighted that we have confirmed specifications for the vessel and signed a contract with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard,” he says. “This truly is an exciting time in our history, given that it’s the year we marked our 190th anniversary. The new vessel will take the company forward to our 200th anniversary and beyond.” The new vessel, expected to commence service in spring 2023, will be an important part of the company’s future plans, bringing high levels of onboard facilities and enhanced freight capability. “The final specification and build programme is still in development but it is expected the new vessel will be slightly larger than the Ben-my- Chree in most respects but with Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s new vessel will be built by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Mipo Dockyard 4 1 considerably more passenger space,” says Woodward. “It is also intended to be more environmentally efficient and manoeuvrable in poor conditions. Factoring in various technical and logistical considerations for a new vessel, and taking into account the recent public consultation exercise where possible, our aim for when we introduce the new addition is to provide an even higher level of service to the Island community and our customers.” Meanwhile in Norway, Boreal has ordered five 350-passenger all-electric ferries from Turkey’s Sefine Shipyard to serve the company’s new inner Oslofjord service from November 2021. Designed by Multi Maritime, the five new 35-metre ferries will be able to carry 350 passengers, significantly more than the 236-passenger vessels they replace and will be charged from a new shoreside system at the Aker Pier terminal. Each ferry will feature two passenger decks, both with lounges offering panoramic views and one offering a large sun deck. Boreal and Ruter signed a contract for the operation of ferry services in the inner Oslofjord in early 2020. The contract starts on 1 November 2021 and runs through to 2034, with an option to operate the routes to the islands south of Oslo and east of Nesoddtangen for another 10 years. Elsewhere in the world, the government in the Australian state of Tasmania Operator Vessel Yard Pax Cost Delivery estimate Brittany Ferries Galicia Weihai 1,000 -- 2020 Viking Line Viking Glory Xiamen Shipbuilding 2,800 US$229m 2020 Algerie Ferries Badji Mokhtar III Guangzhou Shipyard International 1,800 US$175m 2021 Stena RoRo Stena Embla CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard 1,000 -- 2021 Stena RoRo E-Flexer 7 CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard 1,200 -- 2022 Stena RoRo E-Flexer 8 CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard 1,200 -- 2022 DFDS Cote d’Opale CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard 1,000 -- 2021 DFDS 2 ro-pax Guangzhou Shipyard International 600 -- 2021 Brittany Ferries Salamanca Weihai 1,000 -- 2022 TT-Line Ro-pax CSC Jinling 800 -- 2022 BC Ferries Ro-pax Remontowa Shipbuilding 600 US$70 m 2022 AS Tallink Grupp Ro-pax Rauma Marine Constructions 2,800 US$295 m 2022 Onorato Armatori Group Ro-pax Guangzhou Shipyard International 2,500 -- 2022 P&O 2 ro-pax Guangzhou Shipyard International US$307 m 2023 Finnlines 2 ro-pax Weihai 1,100 US$319 m 2023 Brittany Ferries Santoña Weihai 1,000 -- 2023 Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Ro-pax Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan, South Korea. -- 2023 Notable ferries orders up to 2023 RMC is set to deliver Aurora Botnia to Wasaline in April 2021