The Wilhelm Wilhelmsen group has launched the largest ro-ro vessel ever built.
The Tønsberg has a length of 265 metres and a cargo volume of 138 000cu metres over six fixed and three hoistable decks.
The vessel, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, is part of the Mark V series of four vessels that will be delivered to Wilhelm Wilhelmsen and its partner, Wallenius Lines, over the next two years.
The second vessel will be delivered in August and the remaining two in 2012.
Mark V vessels use 15-20% less fuel per transported unit than their predecessors, thanks to an optimised hull and a number of energy-saving features, such as a streamlined rudder design.
A Unitor water ballast water treatment system avoids harmful transfer of micro-organisms to the sea.
Jan Eyvin Wang, President and CEO of Wilhelm Wilhelmsen, said: “We expect that Mark V will strengthen our position as the global market leader within deepsea ro-ro transport.
“The Mark V class is the most sophisticated ro-ro vessels ever built, with major innovative design criteria such as high ramp capacity, deck strength and height, low fuel consumption, good transportation economy and safe cargo handling.”
The entire cargo hold of the Tønsberg is arranged for customer’s high and heavy cargo, such as excavators, bulldozers, wheel-loaders and harvesters.