Chinese shipyard CIMC Raffles has handed over the second of two multi-fuel ice-rated con-ro vessels, ‘Baltic Enabler’, to the Wallenius SOL shipping line. ,
Ragnar Johansson, MD Wallenius SOL, said: “It’s fantastic that we can soon put both sister ships in regular traffic. Not only will we have a huge capacity increase on the container and ro-ro sides, but we will also take a giant stride toward a future-oriented fleet that will reduce emissions and have a major impact on industry in the Gulf of Bothnia.”
The newly built vessel, which has Finnish-Swedish ice class 1A, loa of 242m and beam of 35.2m, is sailing under the Swedish flag. In addition to their size, the Enablers are characterised by their high environmental performance and a design specially suited to the shipping requirements of the Swedish and Finnish base industry. According to Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL) estimates, the vessels will be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 63%, NOx by 96% and SOx and particulates by 99%.
Baltic Enabler will call at a number of ports in Asia before heading toward Belgium and Europe. She will then begin trafficking her regular Zeebrugge-Antwerpen-Kokkola-Skelleftea-Oulu-Kemi-Travemünde route.
Johansson added: “Finally having both vessels in our possession is a great feeling. It’s been a long process, what with the pandemic and the challenges it brought. In spite of this, the team at CIMC Raffles in Yantai has done a fabulous job.”
Wallenius Marine in collaboration with Knud E Hansen led the design work and the construction project for the two sister ships. Wallenius Marine will also be responsible for manning and technical operation of the new vessels.
