SeaFrance Rodin, the largest ferry ever to operate on the Dover to Calais route, recently entered service on the English Channel. Its entry into service heralds a new phase in trade on this highly competitive crossing. At 185m long and 27.7m wide, the 34,000g newbuilding is capable of transiting the 22-mile route at a speed of 25 knots and claims the distinction of being the fastest conventional ferry currently on this route. Crossing time has been reduced to about one hour. A fast turnaround is achieved thanks to a drive-through configuration, which also allows for double-deck loading through the provision of separate bow and stern doors for main and upper decks. Articulated goods vehicles, semi-trailers and other wheeled cargoes along with cars and vans can be stowed throughout the two fixed decks with a total capacity of 2,000 lane metres, while a hoistable car platform of 470 lane metres is available for the busier passenger-carrying periods. This will enable the vessel to carry 120 lorries or 700 cars, the ratio being determined by seasonal demand. Dangerous goods can be carried on the open part of deck 5. With a passenger carrying capacity of up to 1,900, SeaFrance has also given a great deal of attention to passenger comfort facilities and claims the vessel has been fitted out to cruise ship standards. Public spaces include a 500m2 shopping arcade. To meet the ship?s high utilisation level of up to six round trips daily, SeaFrance Rodin has been designed for all-year round reliability in the tough operating environment of the Channel where harsh weather conditions are a regular feature. The power plant consists of four Finnish-built Wärtsilä 46-series medium speed engines comprising two eight-cylinder models of 7,800kW each and two 12-cylinder versions each with an output of 11,700kW. These main engines, with a total output of 39,000kW, drive two CP propellers pushing the vessel along at speeds up to 25 knots at 85% maximum continuous rating and 10% sea margin. In addition, the vessel has four auxiliary engines each rated at 1,440kW and two shaft alternators producing 4,750 kVA each. Special consideration has been given to minimise the turnaround time and the corresponding need for constant manoeuvring of the ship in and out of harbour by the fitting of three 1,800kW bow thrusters, one 1,800kW stern thruster and two high performance flap rudders. She is also equipped with a set of fin stabilisers and two pairs of anti-heeling tanks to provide passenger comfort and freight security even in the worst Channel blows. The contract to build the vessel was awarded to the Finnish shipbuilder Aker Finnyards in March 2000 and attracted much attention at the time since it was the first newbuilding order that SeaFrance and its predecessors had placed outside France. It is also the first new ship in the fleet since 1985. After approaching 20 shipyards, the project was assigned to Aker Finnyards which had been short-listed together with van der Giessen-de Noord and Samsung Heavy Industries. The Rauma-based shipyard indicated that, although its price of $81.5 million was 10% higher than the lowest bid, it was able to offer delivery six months earlier than the competition. The deal consolidates its growing strength in the roro and ferry sector, as demonstrated earlier this year when it delivered the innovative Irish ferry Ulysses. The yard?s current order book includes a 40,000g cruise ferry for Tallink of Estonia and a trio of passenger vehicle ferries, one 8,600g example and a pair of 12,000g units, for the Caledonian MacBrayne service between the Scottish mainland and the northern isles.

Topics