On 1 November, Longkou Shipyard in China held the keel laying ceremony for the first vessel from the Sleipner concept, which will be chartered out to Volkswagen Konzernlogistik GmbH & Co. OHG. Wallenius Marine have eight co-workers in different disciplines on site.
In the summer of 2021, Wallenius Marine and Volkswagen signed a contract for two multi-fuel vessels with the ability to carry 6,500 cars each. Wallenius Marine leads the ship design and newbuilding project. After delivery, the vessels will be chartered out to Volkswagen Konzernlogistik GmbH & Co. OHG and transport new vehicles of the Volkswagen Group for at least ten years, with ship management from Wallenius Marine.
The ship design, called Sleipner, was nominated to Next Generation Ship Award at Nor-Shipping 2022. It has several features to reduce the environmental footprint, among others no need for ballast water when fully loaded.
Covid-19 restrictions
The site team, consisting of eight persons from Wallenius Marine, is led by Olof Björk and Project Manager is Dan Reineck. The team must still adapt its processes to the pandemic.
“In China and Yantai there are still many restrictions regarding C-19. There are lockdowns, extended PCR tests every other day, cancelled flights and restrictions to travel to some parts of China. This means that we are performing some things remote” says Dan Reineck.
Sleipner vessel starts to grow
Vessels are built in blocks, which are now after the keel laying ceremony, being put together. Launching is planned for 30 June 2023. Within a year, 30 October, the vessel shall be delivered.
“We are entering a new phase – from design work and simple block production to assembly of the blocks for a vessel on the slipway. It is very satisfying to see the vessel growing on the slip, according to the set timetable” says Dan Reineck.
Short facts: Vessels from Sleipner concept
Length: 200 metres
Width: 37 metres
Capacity: 6,500 car equivalent units
Shipyard: Longkou Shipyard in Shandong, China, owned by CIMC Raffles.
Delivery: First vessel 30 October 2023, second in the beginning of 2024.
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