After four years of delay, a new hybrid ferry owned by the German-Danish ferry operator Scandlines reached its berth in Rostock yesterday. The M/V Berlin is to be deployed on the route Rostock-Gedser.

Scandlines ordered the two vessels in March 2010 from P+S Werften in Stralsund, Germany and in 2012, they were supposed to replace two older ferries, M/V Kronprins Frederik and M/V Prince Joachim. However, the company decided in 2012 to cancel the contracts with the shipyard concerning the construction and delivery of the vessels due to the technical problems that have occurred during the building process.

After the extensive pre-engineering performed by the shipyard Blohm+Voss in Hamburg, Scandlines signed a contract with Danish Fayard in 2014 for the completion of the vessels.

The M/V Berlin was expected to leave the yard in late October and be ready for operation in November 2015. However, the delay occurred due to a damaged main switchboard, Scandlines said.

Before reaching Rostock, the ferry left the Danish shipyard Fayard on 20 April for sea trials.

In addition to the M/V Berlin, the company ordered completion 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 hybrid ferry Berlin combines traditional diesel power with battery power. It has a space for 460 cars or lorries and is able to accommodate 1,300 passengers.

World Maritime News Staff; Video Courtesy: Inselvideo