Côte d'Opale delivered to DFDS
The combined freight and passenger ferry, Côte d'Opale was delivered to DFDS today, six weeks ahead of schedule. DFDS has signed a long-term charter agreement with Stena RoRo. The ferry will, with its 216 metres, become the longest ferry operating on the English Channel.
DFDS is preparing for future growth with the delivery of Côte d'Opale that will be set in service on the Dover – Calais route during the summer. To mark the delivery, a ceremony with representatives from Stena RoRo, DFDS and the shipyard was held on site and the ferry will soon embark on its maiden voyage to Europe.
“With capacity for 160 trailers and space for 1000 passengers and crew, the Côte d'Opale is a fine example of how we combine cargo and passenger traffic without compromising the onboard experience. We appreciate Stena's E-Flexer design, which has made it possible to adapt the ferry, in collaboration with Stena, to the wishes associated with the short crossings across the Channel” says Torben Carlsen, CEO of DFDS.
“With this ferry, we will be able to offer our passengers a comfortable journey and an extraordinary shopping experience while accommodating growth and increasing operational efficiency. Due to the large capacity, energy consumption per trailer transported will be significantly decreased compared to Calais Seaways that will be replaced by Côte d'Opale.”
Instead of cabins, there are extra-large areas so passengers can spread out, relax and enjoy the great onboard facilities in a Covid-19 secure way. The bow and stern are especially designed to fit the quayside facilities in both ports, and in addition, it is equipped with a third bow thruster to facilitate the many daily manoeuvres in port.
“Our focus is to adapt the design to our customers' specific wishes, and together with DFDS, we have jointly adapted the ferry’s unique design,” says Per Westling, CEO of Stena RoRo. “In addition to far-reaching demands regarding the environmental aspects and technology, flexibility is one of the main characteristics of the E-Flexer class.”
To date, Stena RoRo has ordered nine large RoPax vessels of the E-Flexer type, five of which have now been delivered from the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling (Weihai).
About the Côte d'Opale
Length: 215.9 m
Draught: 6.6 m
Beam: 27.8 m
Capacity: 3100 lane meters + 120 cars, 1000 passengers and crew