Scandlines New Ferry Starts Final Tests before Delivery

Scandlines A new hybrid ferry owned by the German-Danish ferry operator Scandlines left the Danish shipyard Fayard on 20 April to start its sea trials.  The new ferry is to be named M/V Berlin at a ceremony scheduled for 3 May 2016. Once delivered, the ferry is scheduled to be deployed on the Rostock, Germany and Gedser, Denmark ferry route. The hybrid ferry Berlin combines traditional diesel power with battery power. Having completed a comprehensive test program, the M/V Berlin will be tested under usual and unusual conditions, Scandlines says. After the sea trial, the vessel is expected to arrive at its future berth in Rostock. According to Scandlines, the vessel has a space for 460 cars or 96 lorries and is able to accommodate 1,300 passengers. In addition to the M/V Berlin, the company ordered conversion of another ferry, the M/V Copenhagen. The completion of the two new ferries is an investment of more than EUR 100 million (USD 108.8 million) per conversion on each ship. The two new ferries will replace M/V Kronprins Frederik and M/V Prince Joachim, which currently operate the crossing. Fayard was hired in 2014 to complete the conversion of the two ferries after the extensive pre-engineering performed by Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg.