April 10, 2008

Aker Yards Germany cuts steel for first RoPax 55

Aker Yards Germany has started the production of the world's largest combined freight and passenger ferries. The first steel plate has been cut at its site in Warnemünde for Yard number 159-- the first of two Aker RoPax 55 vessels for Stena Rederi being built under a EUR 400 million contract.

At 63,600 gt each, the new Stena ships have a gross tonnage 35 per cent higher than any similar vessels currently in service. The ferries were developed and designed by Aker Yards Rauma in Finland and Stena RoRo in Sweden.

Delivery of the vessels is scheduled in the first and third quarter 2010 respectively. Production will be split between the Aker Yards Germany sites in Warnemünde and Wismar.

Aker Yards Germany is increasingly targeting higher value added specialized ships. Besides RoRo and RoPax projects, recent orders have included ice-breaking and ice-going tonnage and projects for specialized tankers.

Length and beam:	240 m long and 32 m wide, abt. 11,600 t deadweight
Lane metres:	5,500 for trailers + 728 for cars
Passenger capacity:	1,200 persons
Engine and performance:	4-stroke main engines 2 x 9,600 kW and 2 x 7,200 kW
Service speed:	approximately 22 knots