The first of two brand-new LNG fuelled ferries for Brittany Ferries was floated on January 5. To be named SALAMANCA, yard number W0269 was floated over a week earlier than planned due to forecast poor weather. Although afloat, it is understood that the ship is still in the dry-dock.
SALAMANCA is the second of three Stena E-Flexer class ferries being purpose built for Brittany Ferries and chartered from Stena RoRo. In a change from GALICIA and the other E-Flexers, twin Wärtsilä 12V46DF dual-fuel main engines are installed in place of the Caterpillar M43’s on the other units.
With a higher power output of 13,740kW each, these engines guarantee a slightly higher service speed of 23 knots over the other ships in the E-Flexer class which are designed for a 22 knot service speed.
Shippax reports that Brittany Ferries require this extra knot of speed to maintain the schedule on the Portsmouth – Bilbao route.
Two LNG tanks, each with a volume of 370m³ are installed in the lower hold. As a result, SALAMANCA has a reduced freight capacity of 2,758 lane metres versus the 3,100 lane metres of part-sister GALICIA.
The layout of the accommodation and passenger facilities are understood to remain similar on SALAMANCA to GALICIA. A sister-ship to SALAMANCA, SANTOÑA, is expected to be delivered in 2023.
The three new Brittany Ferries ships are based on the E-Flexer design shared by Stena Line’s STENA ESTRID, STENA EDDA, and STENA EMBLA as well as DFDS’s forthcoming CÔTE D’OPALE. The DFDS ship will be the next to be delivered. She is expected in service ahead of summer 2021 and will replace CALAIS SEAWAYS on the Dover – Calais route.
