Oh what?!

[Nick the Greek]

Aker Yards has today entered into a contract with Stena Rederi AB in Gothenburg (Sweden) to deliver two innovative Super Ferries. The value of the contract is approximately EUR 400 million. Deliveries are scheduled for the first and third quarter of 2010. The contract includes options for two further vessels of the same type.

The contract is a genuine proof of Aker Yards ability to operate across borders and sharing competences between its three business areas: The basic design of these special ferries will take place in Finland and the building in Germany.

"After several years, we are very pleased to renew our customership with such an innovative client as Stena, and are looking forward to a long future cooperation. Aker Yards is also proud to demonstrate its ability to design innovative ships tailored to the customer's needs. By this project we utilize our versatile qualifications within the group even more than before," says Karl Erik Kjelstad, President & CEO of Aker Yards

Although the yards traditionally serving the ferry business (Finland and France) were fully booked for the delivery dates requested by the client, Aker Yards with its17 yards co-operating across borders had the possibility to offer building of the ferries in Germany. Aker Yards, Germany has experience in building passenger ships and roro ferries, and the designer, Aker Yards, Rauma has experience in designing and building of passenger and car ferries for more than 20 years.

The 62,000 GT ships ordered will be 240 metres long and 32 metres wide. In each vessel there will be 5,500 m trailer lanes and 700 m car lanes of vehicle space, and the passenger capacity will be 1,200 in each. With main engine output of 4 x 8,000 kW (4-stroke diesel engines) they will reach a service speed of 22 knots

Fast facts:

Vessel Type: RoRo cargo and passenger ship (RoPax)

Contract value: approx EUR 400 million for two vessels

Building yard: Aker Yards, Germany

Delivery time: 1st and 3rd quarter 2010

Length and beam: 240 metres long and 32 metres wide

Gross tonnage 62,000

Deadweight: 11,600 tons

Trailer lanes: 5,500 m

Car lanes 700 m

Passenger capacity: 1,200 persons

Passenger cabins: 540

Propulsion: 4-stroke diesel engines 4 x 8,000 kW

Service speed 22.0 knots

Design: Aker RoPax 55 by Aker Yards, Finland

Contract signed by: Aker Yards, Germany

Source: Aker Yards

[GaryAndrews]

Stena have confirmed these ships are likely to go to the Harwich - Hoek van Holland or Karlskrona - Gdynia routes.