Latest E-Flexer has added passenger capacity

Galicia [Image: StenaRORo]

Delivered September 3 by Chinese shipbuilder CMI Jinling (Weihai), the Galicia is the third of nine E-Flexer RoPax vessels on order at the yard for StenaRoRo. It is the first of three E-Flexers that will be chartered by Brittany Ferries on a long-term basis and has been specially adapted to the requirementa of the French ferry company.

Construction of the E-Flexers is based on a standard developed for flexibility, and each vessel is tailored to customer needs.

One adaptation made for Brittany Ferries is that the basic model car deck on deck 7 has been converted to cabins. This, along with extension of the deckhouse on both decks 7 and 8, has enabled the number of cabins to be increased from 175 to 343.

The public spaces on decks 7 and 8 have been partially given over to other functions compared to the basic model, but largely follow the E-Flexer standard. The design of the public spaces and the color scheme, however, are entirely unique and draw inspiration from Spain and the region after which the ship is named.

In addition, the Galicia has two scrubbers, one for each main engine, and two extra lifeboats added because of the ferry’s increased passenger capacity.

“The Galicia is special because she is the first in the E-Flexer series to be delivered to an external customer,” says Stena RoRo CEO Per Westling. “The design has been adapted to Brittany Ferries’ special requirements and the yard has been able to deliver according to schedule despite the ongoing pandemic.”

“This is a significant milestone in our fleet renewal planning and we are delighted that we will shortly be welcoming Galicia to the Brittany Ferries family. The E-flexer class of ships are well suited to our long-haul routes. I am convinced that passengers will be as thrilled to travel on them as we are to take delivery of Galicia today,” says Christophe Mathieu CEO Brittany Ferries.

Stena RoRo has an agreement with Brittany Ferries for long-term charters of two more vessels in the Stena E-Flexer series. Both will be fueled by LNG, and are currently under construction for deliveries in 2022 and 2023.