Smyril Line Takes Skipanes as 3,300 Lane Metre RoRo Boosts North Atlantic Freight Fleet

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Smyril Line has taken delivery of Skipanes, the first of two new 3,300 lane metre RoRo freight vessels that will expand the Faroese carrier’s capacity between continental Europe, the Faroe Islands and Iceland.

The vessel was handed over by CIMC Raffles in China on August 25 and is preparing for its voyage from China to Europe. Skipanes represents a major part of a fleet renewal programme intended to provide additional freight capacity while lowering emissions per tonne of cargo carried.

The vessel measures 189.5 metres in length and 27.2 metres in width, with a design draught of 6 metres and a design speed of 18 knots. It has been designed specifically for demanding North Atlantic operating conditions.

Skipanes provides 3,300 lane metres of RoRo capacity. Financing information released when the two vessel programme was announced indicated that each ship was designed to accommodate around 220 trailers and 300 cars, as well as 100 electrical connections for refrigerated containers.

New capacity targets North Atlantic trades
Skipanes will strengthen a network linking Denmark, the Netherlands, the Faroe Islands and Iceland, where RoRo services carry trailers, refrigerated products, vehicles and other freight requiring regular connections with continental Europe.

The vessel is the first of two identical ships ordered by Smyril Line from CIMC Raffles in 2024. The programme was developed with naval architecture company Knud E. Hansen, combining the carrier’s operational experience in the North Atlantic with a vessel design focused on cargo capacity, sea keeping and lower emissions.

Jens Meinhard Rasmussen, chief executive of Smyril Line, said the delivery would strengthen the company’s North Atlantic freight services and represented an important stage in the development of its fleet.
The two vessel programme is supported by financing of EUR 90 million from KfW IPEX Bank, which announced the financing arrangement in 2024 as part of Smyril Line’s fleet renewal plans.

The additional capacity is significant for a carrier serving relatively small island markets where dependable sea transport is critical to supply chains. The Faroe Islands and Iceland rely heavily on maritime connections for imports and exports, including substantial movements of refrigerated seafood.
Methanol preparation and batteries cut emissions

CIMC Raffles said Skipanes was constructed to methanol ready specifications and is equipped with a battery system and a connection for shore supplied electricity.

The shipyard said the vessel could reduce carbon emissions per tonne of freight by more than 60 percent compared with Smyril Line’s existing fleet. The comparison reflects the efficiency of the larger vessel and its propulsion and energy systems rather than operation on methanol from delivery.

That distinction is important as shipping companies prepare fleets for tighter emissions requirements. Methanol ready construction allows future conversion or adaptation without requiring the vessel to operate on methanol immediately.

Skipanes is classed by DNV and has a deadweight capacity of about 8,400 tonnes. Its combination of RoRo capacity, refrigerated cargo connections and North Atlantic design gives Smyril Line additional flexibility for both general freight and temperature controlled cargo.

The vessel will now make the long positioning voyage from China before entering the European and North Atlantic network.
Sister vessel faces reported delay
Attention will next turn to Akranes, the second vessel in the two ship programme.

Faroese broadcaster Kringvarp Føroya reported that Akranes encountered a problem involving its shaft generator during sea trials in June. Rasmussen was reported at the time as saying that repairs could delay the vessel by several months.

The development means Skipanes could initially enter the fleet without its sister vessel alongside it, potentially extending the period before Smyril Line receives the full capacity planned under the programme.

Smyril Line was established in 1982 and operates passenger and freight services connecting continental Europe with the Faroe Islands and Iceland. Its freight fleet has included Glyvursnes, Mykines and the chartered Lista, while passenger and freight vessel Norröna provides the company’s principal passenger connection.

Skipanes now begins the journey from the Chinese shipyard toward Europe, where its arrival will mark the operational start of Smyril Line’s latest generation of purpose designed North Atlantic RoRo tonnage.