Launching, Double Christening at Flender

On December 7, 2001, two ferries were christened and one was launched by German Shipyard Flenderwerft. Mrs. Katerina Panagopulos, National Ambassador of Greece to the Council of Europe for Sports, Tolerance and Fairplay, wife of Mr. Pericles Panagopulos, Chairman of Attica Enterprises S.A. christened the RoRo Pax Ferry Superfast XI. This ship was launched on August 3. Subsequently, Mrs. Julie McLeish, wife of the former First Minister of Scotland Rt. Hon Henry McLeish MSP, named the sister vessel "Superfast XII" prior to its launching. Having the newbuilding number 682 and 683, the ships are being built for the Greek-based company Attica Enterprises S.A. The fast twin-screw vessels developed by the yard are built as per the Rules and Regulations and under supervision of the classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). The ships can carry 1,550 passengers, and offer 2,000 lane meters for RoRo cargo as well as space for about 100 other vehicles. Loading and unloading of the ship is done via three stern ramps. Travelling stairs and elevators facilitate access of the passengers to the passenger decks. The ships are propelled by four Wärtsilä main engines having an output of totally 48,000 kW via double gear onto two CP propeller systems. In order to reduce exhaust gas emissions, the main engines are equipped with a water injection device. Service speed of the ships will be nearly 30 knots, while full speed will be more than 31 knots. Two semi-balanced rudders as well as two bowthrusters and one stern thruster ensure optimum manoeuvrability. The ships' optimized seakeeping characteristics are enhanced by a heeling stabilizer system and additional fin stabilizers. The ships are suitable for continuous year-round operation, and the "five star" comfort is one of the most important aspects of these ships resulting in a cruiseship-like design. They have amongst others shops, a disco, restaurants, bars, a swimming-pool area, a sun deck and winter gardens. Subsequently to the construction of these ships, the newbuildings nos. 694 (RoRo passenger ferry for the Faroe-Islands-based Smyril Line) as well as the newbuildings nos. 691, 692, 693 and 695 (four 3,600 TEU containerships for Hamburg-based shipowner Claus-Peter Offen) will employ Flender Werft fully in 2002 and partly up to spring 2004.