A contract to build three double-ended RoRo Ferries for the Canadian Shipping Company British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. has been won by Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft. The total value of the contracts is approximately $325 million Canadian. The new ships are called “Super C-class” type. BC Ferries´ specification for the new Super C-class vessels, which are planned to operate on BC Ferries´ Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay, and Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen routes, are for 160 m vessels that can accommodate 370 vehicles and up to 1,650 passengers. The breadth is 28,20 m, the draught 5,75 m and the service speed 21,00 knots.
While the order confirms the German yard’s prowess, it has sparked a fair amount of controversy, particularly from Canadian shipbuilders.
The first new Super C-class vessel is scheduled to leave Flensburger Shipyard in October 2007, the second in January 2008 and the third in May 2008.
For Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, these new contracts are another proof of their competence in designing and building special RoRo ferries. In the past five years Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft was able to contract almost all important large RoRo newbuildings, i.e. a total of 25 vessels.
Due to the new contracts, Flensburger has secured full employment until end of 2007.