Oceanex Launches Massive Canadian Con/Ro Vessel
A con/ro ship, said to be Canada’s largest, was launched in Flensburg, Germany on Friday, May 31. Representatives from Oceanex Inc., were in attendance for the naming ceremony and launch of its newly constructed, custom-designed 210 meter con/ro vessel. Following the launch, the vessel was hauled to the fitting out quay, where the final details including the bridge and accommodations block will be installed and the vessel readied for delivery in October. Mrs. Bernice Hynes, wife of Executive Chairman, Captain Sid Hynes, christened the Oceanex Connaigra, blessing both the ship and all who sail on her.
The ship is being built by Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) and will set new standards for innovation, flexibility, and environmental protection. Construction of the Oceanex Connaigra began with first steel cutting 8 months ago, following four years of design and planning to ensure the ship will not only provide optimum performance and reliability in the harsh weather conditions of east coast Canada, but will also meet the company’s capacity for the next 30 years. Oceanex Executive Chairman, Captain Sid Hynes, said “the Oceanex Connaigra is a considerable investment and an essential element of our company’s strategy to meet the needs of our clients throughout Eastern Canada.
With a deadweight of 19,300 tons and 13,700 square meters of available space, the Oceanex Connaigrais designed to carry containers varying in size from 20-53 feet as well as trucks, trailers, cars and over dimensional cargo. With moveable vehicle decks and the addition of a wide, reinforced side ramp, the ship will be one of the most versatile Con/Ro vessels in the country. Ice-classed, it is also equipped with anti-roll stability tanks and a gyro controlled active fin stabilizer system “to ensure we have the most stable platform that is reasonably possible” Hynes said.
Both Oceanex and FSG have placed the highest value on environmental performance for this newbuild project. Because of her optimal lines, the new ship will use 30% less fuel than comparable size ships, thereby reducing C02 emissions by about 20,000 tons per year. With her innovative new waste gas de-sulphurization plant, the Oceanex Connaigra already meets stricter environmental regulations due to take effect in 2015.
Delivery of the Oceanex Connaigrato the Newfoundland service is expected in the fall of 2013 at which time it will join the current Oceanex fleet composed of the MV Cabot, the Oceanex Sanderling, and the Oceanex Avalon.
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