World's largest Superferry put into service
Stena Hollandica, the world’s largest ropax ferry in terms of combined passenger and freight capacity
The first of two large superferries, built by Nordic Yards in Wismar, Germany, was recently put into service with Stena Line on the North Sea run between Harwich and the Hook of Holland.
Stena Line’s largest ever investment of over £375 million ($586 million) has been spent on building the two new 62,000gt vessels, with the Stena Hollandica now in service and the Stena Britannica scheduled for delivery imminently. The 11,600 dwt newbuildings measure 240m long, 32m wide and have a draught of 6.4m.
The largest ferries of their type in terms of combined passenger and freight capacity, each has 5,500 lane metres over four decks interconnected by ramps and capable of accommodating 230 cars plus 300 freight vehicles. Discharging and loading is by means of a 17m wide stern ramp and a 7m wide bow ramp facilitating double tier loading/discharging.
The vessels are fitted with 185 refrigerated cargo sockets.
Passenger capacity is 1,200 and the accommodation, which is situated on decks 10 and 11, consists of 438 two-bed cabins and 100 five-bed cabins giving a total of 1,376 beds onboard. The 538 cabins all have a modern en suite bathroom while larger windows have been installed in both bathroom and main cabin areas to provide a feeling of space and light.
Passengers will be able to enjoy onboard services including buffet and a la carte restaurants, cinema, bar, lounge, media room and internet corner while they can also stay connected throughout the journey with free wi-fi , mobile phone reception throughout the crossing and satellite television in lounges and cabins. There are children and teenager zones, 12 kennels for dogs and a sundeck to allow passengers to relax outdoors during their journey.
Designed to have a low environmental impact, each ferry is built in line with Stena Line’s energy savings programme. Eco-friendly features on the new ferries include catalytic converters, an improved hull design optimised with an advanced coating system, highly efficient engines and better combustion rates, all helping to reduce environmental impact. The newbuildings have facilities to recycle glass, cardboard and food waste onboard, while solar film on all windows will exclude up to 82% of the sun’s radiant heat, reducing the energy used by the onboard cooling system.
The main propulsion power plant comprises two 9,600kW MAN 8L48/60CR and two 7,200kW MAN 6L48/60CR medium speed diesel mechanical engines driving two CP Alpha propellers giving a service speed of 22 knots. Auxiliary power is provided by one 1,540kW MAN 7L21/31 and three 1,320kW MAN 6L21/31 medium speed diesel gensets. In addition, the vessels have two 3.1MW shaft generators installed.
To improve energy efficiency, the propulsion system is fitted with an interfaced speed pilot and route optimisation system while the shaft generators provide floating frequency power for reefer sockets when in combinator mode. Exhausts stacks of the engines are fitted with SCR (selective catalytic reduction) systems and the power plant has a heat recovery system.
Steering is by means of two Becker flap type rudders assisted by two 3,000kW Wãrtsilã bow thrusters. A pair of Mitsubishi fin stabilisers is fitted to improve passenger comfort.
Both vessels are classed by Lloyds Register with 100 A1 + LMC, UMS, RoRo Cargo and Passenger Ship, Swedish/ Finnish ICE 1B, IWS, SCM, NAV1, IBS, EP-P, PSMR, LI and approved for dangerous cargo.
Principal dimensions
Gross tonnage 62,000 tons
Deadweight 11,600 tonnes
Loa 240.0m
Beam 32.0m
Draught 6.4m
Main engines 2 x 9,600kW MAN 8L48/60CR
2 x 7,200kW MAN 6L48/60CR
Auxiliary gensets 1 x 1,540kW MAN 7L21/31
3 x 1,320kW MAN 6L21/31
Service speed 22 knots
Passenger capacity 1,200
Freight capacity 310 freight units + 230 cars
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