STX Finland books order for double-ended ferry

STX Finland Oy and Finferries have signed a contract for the construction of a double ended ferry. The ship will be built at the STX Rauma shipyard and will be delivered at the end of 2012. It will be 65 m in length and 12.8 m in breadth.

The construction of the environmentally friendly ferry will bring some 100 man-years of work to STX Rauma shipyard and its supplier network.

The value of the contract is not being disclosedd. 

The new passenger ferry will operate in Finland’s Turku Archipelago, on the Korpo – Houtskaer route, of which the length and challenging ice conditions will set special requirements to the performance of the vessel. In addition, the vessel will be constructed in accordance with the safety regulations defined in the EU shipbuilding directive and it will be the first vessel to reach the new generation safety level.

Particular attention has been given to the  ferry’s efficiency by minimizing the docking time of the vessel by using wide bow and stern ramps and by designing the ferry as a double ended vessel that  can run in both directions.

The vessel will have a diesel-electric power plant and Z drive rudder propellers at both ends of the ship, was selected as the propulsion for the vessel.

The new double ended ferry will start to operate at the beginning of 2013 and it will accommodate 250 passengers, three trucks with tandem trailers and 39 cars.

“This order reinforces the leading position of STX Finland in the development and building of customer-oriented and technologically advanced types of ships.” explains Timo Suistio, Shipyard Director at the STX Rauma shipyard.  “We are proud and grateful for having the opportunity to offer our customer Finferries a competitive full solution that incorporates all our strengths”, Suistio continues.  

April 14, 2011