Chinese shipyard CIMC Raffles has delivered the first of two multi fuel ConRo ships capable of running on LNG, LBG, diesel and synthetic diesel to its owner Wallenius Sol, reads the Wallenius website.
World’s largest ice-rated multi-fuel ConRo vessel
According to Wallenius Sol, the Botnia Enabler, which is sailing under the Swedish flag, is the world’s largest ice-rated multi-fuel ConRo vessel.
‘We’re incredibly pleased and proud to welcome Botnia Enabler to our fleet,’ said Ragnar Johansson, Managing Director, Wallenius Sol. ‘The delays we suffered along the way are no secret, so finally seeing her leave port on her maiden voyage is a fantastic feeling. She’s been eagerly awaited by us and our customers.’
The 242 metre-long vessel will be loading cargo in two Chinese ports before the she heads home to Europe and the Gulf of Bothnia. According to calculations, Botnia Enabler will call at its first European port, Antwerp, at the end of June.
Energy efficient vessel
Once the ship leaves the continent, she will enter regular traffic on her Zeebrugge-Antwerp-Kokkola-Skellefteå-Oulu-Kemi-Travemünde route.
Wallenius Sol says the container carrying capacity on the route will increase by almost 300% from 336 TEU to 1,000 TEU compared to the ship currently serving the route, and RoRo capacity will increase by almost 100%.
‘This vessel will play an important role for our customers, who need more capacity, and for us and our ability to reduce our environmental and climate impact,’ said Johansson.
Wallenus Sol noted that the Botnia Enabler is ‘significantly’ more energy efficient per transported unit than older vessels, and according to IVL’s calculations, the vessel will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 63%.
Botnia Enabler’s sister ship, Baltic Enabler, is scheduled for delivery later this summer.
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Source: Wallenius SOL
