The construction of two new larger Stena Line E-Flexer ferries has begun in Weihai, China. The vessels were ordered in 2018 and the delivery is expected in 2022. Stena Line has also confirmed the third E-Flexer vessel destined for the Irish Sea, STENA EMBLA, is expected to be delivered on time and will start operating on the Belfast-Liverpool route in January 2021.
The two larger E-Flexer vessels for Stena Line will be 240 meters long with a load capacity of 3,600 length meters, compared to the first three which are 214 meters long and have a load capacity of 3,100 length meters. In total, the larger vessels also get 50% more cabins and beds, 30% increased passenger capacity and an additional 15% cargo capacity.
NMT Shipping has chartered STENA FORETELLER (from Stena RoRo) for its Europe – West-Africa service.
STENA NORDICA will return to the Gdynia – Karlskrona route at the end of October.
She will replace STENA BALTICA (former COTENTIN) which will probably be returned to owner Somanor / Brittany Ferries.
CoTuNav charters a second roro vessel: SPIRIT OF MONTOIR (ex FRIJSENBORG) will join LEEVSTEN (ship particulars) on the route between Radès, Marseille and Genoa.
The contract with Smyril for Godby’s roro MISTRAL has been extended and is now valid until March 2021.
Godby Shipping’s MIDAS is running the Wagenborg roro service between Riga and Oxelösund, which started on 6 July,
Godby announced that MIDAS will be used in Accordia Shipping liner service between ports in the USA and the Caribbean, from November 2020 until December 2021. If that means the end of the Wagenborg service is not clear yet.
OFW Ships (Ocean Fresh Water) is about to be declared bankrupt.
The concept was to transform train ferry ODEEP ONE (ex names: MUKRAN, PETERSBURG) into a water-making vessel. Seawater was pumped at a great depth, desalinated and bottled on board.
On October 12, Cees Kloppenburg photographed PRIDE OF CANTERBURY leaving Rotterdam after a visit to Damen Ship Repair.