ROUNDTABLE flexible Simon Johnson asks executives from Brittany , DFDS and Stena Line about the origins of their new E-Flexer The host: ferries, as well as why they expect them to become so popular with guests

esigned in collaboration with Why did you choose an E-Flexer as Deltamarin, Stena RoRo’s part of your newbuild strategy? SIMON JOHNSON new series of ro-pax ferries PA: Stena Line started the E-Flexer Director of Shipshape Consulting Dis being built and delivered project back in 2013 with a pre-design by China’s AVIC Weihai shipyard. study based on our fleet strategy and The vessels are already living up to the long-term tonnage plan. We needed to The panel: E-Flexer name, being some of the most add larger ro-pax ferries to the fleet, but fuel efficient in the world for their size we didn’t want to build bespoke vessels and being flexible enough to be uniquely with unique and inflexible features customised to meet specific operator that would increase both capital and and route demands. We ask Brittany operational expenditures. Together with Ferries, DFDS and Stena Line to explain Stena RoRo, we agreed to design a larger how they successfully met the challenge ro-pax that could operate on a range PETER ARVIDSSON of modifying the ferries to suit their of routes offering both high-intensity Chief Operating Officer at operational requirements and how they day crossings and quieter night sailings, Stena Line Group and Head of have bought their visions to life. while offering high operational efficiency the E-Flexer Steering Group at Stena Line

Cote D’Opale will begin service for DFDS in summer 2021, sailing between , England and Calais, France

KASPER MOOS Vice President and Head of the Passenger Business Unit at DFDS

CATHERINE QUERNÉ Strategy Director at

114 Photo: Strong Island Media/Portsmouth International Port International Media/Portsmouth Island Strong Photo:

Brittany Ferries marked the end of Galicia’s first commercial voyage from Santander, Spain to Portsmouth, England with a fireworks display on 3 December 2020 and low energy consumption. We took five vessels all have the exact same to ensure we have the right balance inspiration from our Visentini-class configuration, although the last two are between space for customers, their vessels and our large and standardised bigger with additional cabins and more cars and freight vehicles. We’ve also ro-ro vessels, such as Stena Transporter lane metres. However, the platform is so adapted elements such as colours, and Stena Transit. flexible that it will allow for adaptions fabrics, carpets and artwork to reflect CQ: Brittany Ferries has a long-term and conversions in future, for example Brittany Ferries’ branding and create fleet renewal and expansion strategy, so changing propulsion or electrifying the our first-ever Spanish-inspired interiors. we always keep an eye on the market and ferries. We’ve tested the vessels on several It was challenging, but we successfully explore different options for new vessels. routes, and they work well everywhere. transformed an off-the-shelf ferry into a When Stena RoRo asked if we wanted to KM: Cote D’Opale is optimised bespoke vessel that feels like she has been purchase an E-Flexer, we evaluated the for operating cross-Channel services specifically designed for Brittany Ferries design and decided it met our needs for between Dover, England and Calais, and the routes she operates. the routes linking Portsmouth, England France, so she has a different design and Santander, Spain, and Portsmouth to other E-Flexers. The bow, stern and How do the completed vessels compare and Cherbourg, France. For example, cargo loading equipment are arranged against your expectations and how will the 215-metre-long vessel (now named differently to facilitate fast unloading you gauge their success? Galicia) had capacity to accommodate and loading in port and we’ve replaced PA: Our first three E-flexers are now all freight and passengers on the routes, passenger cabins with an additional car trading in the and have been while her green technologies will help us deck and more public spaces. The interior very well-received by both our customers meet our emissions and environmental design has also been adapted to ensure it and the wider market. We are very happy sustainability goals. The flexibility to is consistent with other DFDS ferries and with the capacity they offer and the customise the design was an added also meets current and future passenger broad range of onboard experiences they benefit and we’ve since purchased two expectations. As always, we had to make provide to guests, both from an interior more E-Flexers – Salamanca and Santoña, design compromises, but we worked and outlet perspective. We’re more than which will debut in 2022 and 2023. closely with Stena RoRo to create a vessel satisfied with their performance and the that fully meets market requirements and operational expense development is better What customisations were you able to improves the overall passenger experience. than expected. They are very efficient. make to your E-Flexer? CQ: Galicia has the same basic KM: Cote D’Opale will begin service PA: The key principle of the E-flexers structure, technical systems and interior in summer 2021 and our main metrics was to develop a standardised but layout as the other E-Flexers, but we’ve for evaluating her success will be versatile ro-pax platform. Stena Line’s added an extra 100 passenger cabins whether the advanced engine and other

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technologies lead to improvements in overall fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared to other vessels operating on the Channel routes. Passenger and freight capacity will be significantly improved in comparison to our existing vessels and the active stabilisation technology will result in very smooth crossings. In addition, the extra bow thruster and high-lift rudders will improve port manoeuvring times and allow continuous operation Stena Line’s Stena Embla is already operating on in severe weather conditions without the Irish Sea and receiving positive feedback from customers additional tug support, which is essential for the high-frequency service we offer on the Channel. CQ: Galicia only started service great customer satisfaction to our around the world, and has Spanish- in December 2020, so we don’t have passengers and freight customers many inspired interiors and onboard venues that sufficient data to gain meaningful years from now. are targeted mainly at British passengers. insights into how she is performing KM: Cote D’Opale will have several I felt very proud when I saw customers in terms of operational efficiency, impressive areas, including the first enjoying the Taberna de Tapas restaurant energy consumption, emissions or costs 7 Seas Restaurant on a DFDS ship; on Galicia’s inaugural sailing. To me, compared to our other vessels. However, an enhanced Light House Café and it symbolised that we had achieved our all the technical systems performed well Premium Lounge; and the newly onboard experience goals – our French during her sea trials so we’re confident designed Road Kings area for freight chefs and crew members successfully she will meet all targets. The vessel is also drivers, which will have a restaurant, brought an authentic taste of Spain to very comfortable and quiet, and we’ve lounge and showers. However, the duty- both Spanish and British passengers in had amazing responses from our crew free ship will be the outstanding feature a space filled with Galician artwork and members and customers. Of course, we’ll because it’s very much at the heart of the everyone was in the holiday mood. continue adapting and improving the ship and all passengers will walk through One of the best parts of the E-Flexer vessel over time. it. The space spans more than 1,000 project is that it shows how several square feet and will evoke the feeling competitors can work together to take Which features of the ships are you of an airport, thanks to its dedicated a standard ferry design and produce a most proud of, and which do you boutique areas, various duty- and tax-free series of extraordinary ships for very think will appeal to passengers? products, LED lights and digital screens different brands. We collaborated to PA: I am personally very satisfied displaying adverts and information. ensure we all achieved our common that we managed to hold true to the CQ: Galicia is a truly international ship vision (producing economically efficient standardised and flexible approach on – she is owned by a French operator, was ships), but also our own specific goals – it the entire newbuilding programme. I am designed by Europeans, built in China, was a completely new way of working, also sure that our E-flexers will provide outfitted with products from countries but everyone has come out a winner. CFR

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