STX Finland completes car-passenger ferry

STX Finland’s Rauma shipyard has delivered the car-passenger ferry NB 1368, the Spirit of France,  to P&O ferries. Her sister ship, the Spirit of Britain was delivered from Rauma Shipyard one year ago.

The ship will arrive in Dover on Saturday, January 28 and will undergo berthing trials in both Dover and Calais before entering service on the premier Channel crossing prior to mid-February.

At more than 47,000 gross tons and 213 meters in length, Spirit of France, and sister ship Spirit of Britain, which began service last year, are the largest ferries ever built for the Dover Strait.  Their combined cost of €360 million is the largest investment ever made by P&O Ferries.

The Spirit of France is 213 meters long and 31.5 meters wide and provides  3,746 lane meters (lm) for trailers, cars and other cargo. In addition to space for approximately 180 freight trucks and 195 passenger cars, the 47,600 gt vessel can accommodate 2,000 passengers. Special attention has been paid to the environmentally friendly and energy-efficient solutions and safety of the ship.

“The Spirit of France and her sistership the Spirit of Britain are the largest, most efficient and modern vessels on the route Dover – Calais. We trust that these ships will be highly appreciated by the passengers and they will serve successfully P&O Ferries for a long time. I want to thank the owner and all those involved in the project for a good co-operation,” said the Director of STX Rauma shipyard, Timo Suistio.

January 25, 2012