Germans order another eco-ferry

The 75.9m long and 16.4m wide newbuilding is for delivery in February 2018 to Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei (WDR). It will be the third double-ended ferry in a series for the operator, but only the second to be built by Neptun to “Blue Angel” eco-friendly RAL-UZ 141 ship design and RAL-UZ 110 ship operation specifications.

For shallow water service between the German North Frisian islands of Föhr and Amrum, it will have the same dimensions but be an upgraded version of, the double-ender Schleswig-Holstein, delivered by Neptun to WDR in 2011 – also with the coveted “Blue Angel” certification The first of the operator’s three 1200-passenger double-enders was Uthlande, built by Sietas in 2010.

The vehicle deck on the newest ship will be wider and of a new design making it the first for WDR with four truck lanes. That is to cater for expected increased island supply demands and truck transport frequencies in the future. It will have about 350 lane m for cars and 280 lane m for trucks, which is 50% and 80% more than on WDR’s 67.8m, 24 year old Rungholt, which is being replaced by the new ship.

Other internal modifications on the new ship will mainly concern passenger comfort – seating, catering and information. The propulsion configuration however was still under consideration in early November.

Schleswig-Holstein and Uthlande each have four Caterpillar main Diesels Type 3508C-DITA-SCAC each of 758kW, and four Voith Schneider propellers, two at each end, providing 12 knots. They also have C9 DITA auxiliary Diesels.

The WDR’s Frederik Erdmann told Maritime Journal in early November however that “the choice and configuration of the propulsion plant for the newbuilding … is currently subject to final consideration”.

Erdmann did not elaborate but added that “the layout will be similar to that on board the Schleswig-Holstein and we can confirm that Voith Schneider propellers will again be part of the application”.

WDR MD Axel Meynkörn has also said four Voith Schneider units will again be on board and that the new ship will have a Diesel mechanical propulsion plant driven by marine gas-oil.

The price of the newbuilding had not been disclosed as this report went to press but Schleswig-Holstein cost some €17.5 million in 2011.

Neptun Werft MD Manfred Müller-Fahrenholz said Neptun, which is part of the prestigious Meyer Group, had won the WDR repeat order in “intense competition” with other German and also European shipyards. Winning it had strengthened the yard’s position and was “the best reference we could have” the yard chief declared.

By Tom Todd