Damen's Third Ferry for South Korea

 

All good things come in threes as Damen delivers the third vessel of the year, from the Damen Fast Ferry (DFFe) series to South Korean operators. Having already delivered the SeaStar 5 to existing customer Seaspovill earlier this year, two additional DFFe deliveries to new customers highlight the success of the series as well as Damen's broad portfolio directly available from stock.

In May 2015, operator Daezer Shipping took delivery of a DFFe 4212 named ‘Sunrise’ from Damen Shipyards Singapore (DSSi). Delivered within three months of ordering, the vessel is powered by four MTU main engines (16V2000 M72) reaching a speed of over 40 knots. The Sunrise is currently operating a route of very popular tourist destinations on Koreas East-coast from the island of Ulleung to Dokdo. As a relatively new ferry operator and new customer to Damen, this recent acquisition has seen Daezer increase their service offering in the region.

The third delivery of the year took place in late August to Seaworld Express Ferry Co. Ltd. the Queen Star2 was delivered to the established operator and will be sailing a three-hour route commencing from Usuyoung Port to the popular tourist destinationof Jeju Island via Chujado Island. This is the first delivery of the newly designed DFFe 4010 with a Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP), which allows the vessel to havea higher top speed and increased fuel efficiency at different speeds and loading conditions.

Although slightly smaller than the DFFe 4212, the DFFe4010 can accommodate to the same amount of 450 maximum passengers and with two engines instead of four;the vessel can still reach a top speed of 35 knots. “This is a unique delivery with the first DFFe4010 going into operation which is expected to be a successful model for the future,” according to Damen sales manager Michiel Hendrikx

The popularity of the DFFe series is due to the vessels low fuel consumption and excellent sailing performance on the occasionally rough Korean East Sea. An additional contributing factor and clear advantage is Damen’s stock profile, which allowed for the vessels to be delivered quickly with slight modifications to the passenger areas. According to Damen, both vessels were built with the highest applicable standards for this type of vessel. They were delivered within three months of contract signing. With a global spread of strategic stock available, Damen can consistently ensure short delivery times of these popular stock vessels.