From 2021, DFDS will charter a new Ship on the English Channel. The new ship will be able to carry 3100 lane metres of cargo and 1000 passengers.
With this capacity, it will be the largest of the ships on the Channel. The ferry will be highly efficient and environmentally friendly with an expected reduction in oil consumption of around 25% compared to current ferries. The new vessel will be built at the Avic Weihai shipyardin China and deployed on the Channel in 2021.
Charter with an Option to Buy
'We will charter the ship from Stena RoRo and operate it for ten years with an option to buy it after that. And since we are considering replacing the fleet on the Channel in 2031, the timing is really good,' says Peder Gellert, EVP of the Shipping Division at DFDS.
Simulations and Manoeuvrability
Four DFDS captains have been testing in simulators how to navigate the future ship to make sure that the new ship is best fitted out for the conditions on the Channel. 'When sailing on the Channel, we need to ensure that the ship is at least as fast in arrival and departure situations as our current ships. Therefore, we have made modifications to increase manoeuvrability,' says Henrik Tidblad, Commercial Fleet Director.
Replacement Programme
The initial plan is for replacement of the oldest of the ferries, Calais Seaways, which was built in 1991. Market developments will determine the final deployment plan, which will be announced in 2020.
Every year, five million passengers, one million cars and 1.2 million trucks travel between Dover – Calais and Dover – Dunkerque on DFDS’ ferries.
