On Sunday March 11, the CEO of ENTMV Algérie Ferries, Mr Ahcéne Grairia and the presidents of Chinese shipbuilders GSI and CSTC, Mr Han Guang De and Mr Li Hongta signed the final contract for a new ro-pax ferry. This ceremony took place, not in China, but in Alger. Also present were the minister of transport (ENTMV is a state-owned ferry company) and the Chinese ambassador.
It is the confirmation of a newbuilding already announced last year. The vessel will have a 1,500-berth capacity, 1,800 passengers and 600 cars.
Delivery is now planned for 2020.
According to APS (Algérie Presse Service) the contract is worth USD 175 million.
The minister, Mtr Abdelghani Zaalane said that the order is part of a presidential decision for the country to acquire 26 ships for the transportation of cargo and containers. Until now ten ships have been integrated in the national fleet, and 16 more are being negotiated. It is unclear how many of these are ro-ro ferries.
During the press conference the minister confirmed that the stricken ro-pax TARIQ IBN ZYAD would re-enter service at the start of the summer season. This ro-pax suffered a fire last autumn.
Photo: Algérie Ferries