Picture shows: Captain David Miller, senior master of the Spirit of Britain, celebrates the floating out of the new ship at STX Europe in Rauma, Finland.
P&O FERRIES
A huge ferry has been launched at the STX shipyard in Finland. It’s one of two being built for P&O Ferries.
The float out of the first ship ‘Spirit of Britain’ (49,000 tonnes) also triggers construction of the second, which in due course will be named ‘Spirit of France’.
Helen Deeble, chief executive of P&O Ferries, said: “The two ships represent a major investment of more than €360 million by P&O Ferries and are designed for a life span of 25 years so we are taking a long term view.
“Their design incorporates a number of world firsts, particularly in terms of hull design and in being the first ferries to comply with new Safe Return to Port regulations.
“It was only last August that I attended the keel-laying of the first ship so to witness its float-out is breathtaking. We’re proud to be associated with everybody at STX Europe which is a truly world class operation.”
The first ship will begin service on the Dover – Calais route in January and the second in September 2011.