New linkspan for Stena Line

TTS has been chosen by Stena Line B.V. to deliver adjustable upper-and lower-deck linkspans at Hoek van Holland to serve two new vessels now building at AkerYards, Germany, as a replacement for the two vessels currently serving the Hoek van Holland to Harwich route, Stena Hollandica and Stena Britannica. The project, which will maximise the efficiency of the vessels, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2009.

“Fast loading and unloading times are central to the project brief, and that will bring number of operational and environmental efficiencies,” said Pim de Lange, Area Director for Stena Line. “Minimising time spent in harbour allows the vessels more time at sea. Sailing at lower speeds, thus using less fuel, will help minimise business costs as well as being environmentally sound.”

The new vessels will be the world’s largest RoPax ferries, at 240 metres long with 5,500 lane metres each, and will increase the number of vehicles carried by more than 30%. The current vessels, Stena Hollandica and Stena Britannica, have themselves recently been lengthened to a capacity of 4,100 lane metres each.