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World’s largest ice-rated ConRo vessels christened
Baltic enabler has been christened on 2 November at the Zeebrugge Terminal with a traditional naming ceremony.
The world’s largest ice-rated ConRo vessel with multi-fuel operation, Botnia Enabler and her sistership Baltic Enabler are characterised by high environmental performance and a design specially suited to the Swedish and Finish shipping requirements.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF WALLENIUS SOL.
The frst of Wallenius Sol’s two new vessels, Botnia Enabler, was launched in July 2021, and in October it was time for her sister ship, Baltic Enabler. The shipyard team reached the next major milestone in February of this year, when Botnia Enabler left Yantai CIMC Rafes Shipyard for her frst sea trials. “It’s like commissioning a hospital; everything has to be tested and double checked. Cabins are furnished and systems put into operation simultaneously. For example, we cannot start the engines until we’ve made sure
Botnia Enabler is not only the world’s biggest ice-rated ConRo vessel with multi-fuel operation, but also the biggest ship that has ever called at the Port of Skellefteå. The Botnia Enabler’s godmother, Ulla Löfven, broke a bottle of champagne against the ship’s 242m long hull.
Festivities during the naming ceremony of Botnia Enabler.
emergency stops, temperatures and pressures are all working properly”, says Henrik Sundkvist, Site Manager.
Naming ceremony
On 8 September 2022, Botnia Enabler was christened in the Port of Skellefteå. Botnia Enabler is not only the world’s biggest ice-rated ConRo vessel with multi-fuel operation, but also the biggest ship that has ever called at the Port of Skellefteå. It was with much due pomp and ceremony that invited guests, politicians, and representatives of trade and industry bore witness to the ship’s godmother Ulla Löfven when she according to tradition broke a bottle of champagne against the ship’s 242m long hull. “I am honored to be given an assignment like this. I myself have a background in this industry and with climate change in mind it is important that we use the shipping industry” said Ulla Löfven. The name Botnia Enabler has its origins in Wallenius Sol’s business idea of being an enabler for the base industry in the Gulf of Bothnia, and according to managing director Ragnar Johansson, it was natural that the Port of Skellefteå should host the ceremony. “The ship sails under the Swedish fag and we are a Swedish company, so we were keen to christen her in Sweden. We began calling at Skellefteå regularly last year, so it seemed natural to carry out >>
Technical specifcations
Ice class Type of vessel Length overall Beam Deadweight Cargo capacity Max speed Engines Botnia Enabler & Baltic Enabler 1A Super ConRo 242m 35.2m 28,000t 6,442 lane metres 20kn Multi-fuel (LNG, LBG, diesel and synthetic diesel)
On 8 September 2022, Botnia Enabler was christened in the Port of Skellefteå.
Environmental benefts of the new vessels
• 57% reduced fuel consumption per transported unit • 63% reduced greenhouse gas emissions per transported unit • 99% reduction in oxides of sulphur (SOx) • 96% reduction in oxides of nitrogen (NOx) • 99% reduced particulate emissions (PM2.5)
Godmother Ulla Löfven.
Anders Boman – Board Chaiman Wallenius Sol.
the ceremony here as a tribute to the magnifcent industrial investments in the north.”
Route
Botnia Enabler will share the ZeebruggeAntwerp-Kokkola-Oulu-Kemi-SkellefteåTravemünde route with her sister ship, Baltic Enabler. This means weekly calls with a total capacity of 6,442 lane metres where trailers, containers, industrial freight and project freight will rub shoulders. “We have promised to deliver a sustainable infrastructure for northern Sweden and Finland. Now we have kept that promise” concluded Wallenius Sol’s board chairman Anders Boman, before godmother Ulla Löfven wished the ship and its crew happy and a safe passage across the seas.
Baltic Enabler
Baltic Enabler is the second of two newly built sister ships that ply the weekly route Zeebrugge-AntwerpKokkola-Oulu-Kemi-SkellefteåTravemünde. Today, the ship transports goods for e.g. Metsä, Stora Enso and BillerudKorsnäs. “Baltic Enabler will make the green expansion along the Gulf of Bothnia possible by shortening the distance to and from the continent of Europe. With the highest possible environmental performance we will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 63% per shipped tonne compared to our older vessels,” says Ragnar Johansson, managing director at Wallenius Sol. Baltic enabler has been christened on 2 November at the Zeebrugge Terminal with a traditional naming ceremony. Anette Johansson has been appointed as the ship’s Godmother.
