The first of the two new Smyril Line ships to leave for Europe

On 5 August, the Chinese shipyard CIMC Raffles transferred a ro-ro cargo ship to Smyril Line Skipanes. This is the first of two new ships ordered to operate connections between Europe, the Faroe Islands and Iceland, which went to the carrier's fleet.

Skipanes was built at the CIMC Raffles shipyard in Longkou in China. The order for two Smyril Line units was placed in 2024, beginning the next stage of renewal of its fleet. The project was developed jointly with the Danish office of Knud E. Hansen, taking into account the requirements of year-round navigation in the North Atlantic.

New ro-ro for Smyril Line

Skipanes is 189.5 m long and 27.2 m wide. Dive The design speed is 6 m and the design speed is 18 knots. The ship has a cargo line of 3,300 linear metres and was built under the supervision of the DNV classification society.

The project was adapted to the conditions in the north Atlantic, where Smyril Line ships face a high sea state and rapidly changing weather throughout the year. The hull structure and the propulsion system shall ensure adequate maneuverability and reliability also during navigation under more difficult conditions.

The ship is equipped with a battery system and an installation allowing the use of electrical power from land during a stop in port. Skipanes is also adapted for the subsequent use of methanol as fuel. According to the shipowner, the solutions are intended to reduce CO2 emissions per tonne of cargo transported by more than 60% compared to ships currently in the fleet. Smyril Line. 

From China to Europe

After acquisition by the shipowner Skipanes start voyage from China to Europe. It will then enter the service of freight connections connecting mainland Europe to the Faroe Islands and Iceland. It was for these connections that both new ships were designed from scratch.

For CIMC Raffles construction of new ro-ro for Smyril Line means entering another segment of the cargo ship market. The shipyard stresses that the design required adaptation of the structure to the conditions of the northern Atlantic and the combination of the battery system, the possibility of powering from land and preparing the ship for the use of methanol. The construction of the hull of the first vessels of this type built by the shipyard also required specific requirements.