Canada's largest flagged container and roll-on/roll-off (ConRo) vessel was recently launched in Flensburg, Germany.
Named 'Oceanex Connaigra', the 210 metre custom-designed vessel was hauled to a fitting out quay following the launch and naming ceremony. There, final installations will occur and the vessel will be readied for delivery by October.
Constructed by shipbuilder Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG), building of the 'Oceanex Connaigra' began with first steel cutting eight months ago. This followed four years of design and planning, to ensure performance and reliability in the harsh weather conditions of east coast Canada, as well as meeting the company's capacity for the next 30 years.
Oceanex executive chairman, Captain Sid Hynes, commented: "the 'Oceanex Connaigra' is a considerable investment and an essential element of our company's strategy to meet the needs of our clients throughout Eastern Canada. Furthermore, we are thrilled to build a ship that is classed by DNV as a "clean ship" and will be a world leader in energy efficiency and environmental protection."
With a deadweight of 19,300 tonnes and 13,700 square metres of available space, the 'Oceanex Connaigra' is designed to carry containers varying in size from 20 to 53 feet, as well as trucks, trailers, cars and over-dimensional cargo. With moveable vehicle decks and the addition of a wide, reinforced side ramp, the ship "will be one of the most versatile Con/Ro vessels in the country".
Ice-classed, it is also equipped with anti-roll stability tanks and a gyro-controlled active fin stabiliser system.
With an emphasis on environmental performance for this new-build project, optimal lines ensure the new vessel will use 30 per cent less fuel than comparable size ships, thereby reducing CO2 emissions by about 20,000 tonnes per year. With an innovative new waste gas de-sulphurisation plant, the 'Oceanex Connaigra' "already meets stricter environmental regulations due to take effect in 2015".
Delivery of the 'Oceanex Connaigra' to the Newfoundland service is expected in the fall of 2013, at which time it will join the current Oceanex fleet composed of the MV 'Cabot', the 'Oceanex Sanderling' and the 'Oceanex Avalon'.