MV Ark Dania
Ark Dania – © Simonwp (Immingham, 12/09/2020)
Steel twin screw motor vessel built in 2014 by S Werften GmbH, Stralsund, Germany (Yard No 501) as a Ro-Ro Cargo Ship.
Technical Data
- Length: 195.20 m (overall) 185.96 m (between perpendiculars)
Breadth: 30.50 m
Depth: 19.00 m
Draught: 6.50 m
Tonnage: 33313 gross/9993 net/9800t deadweight
Engines: 2 x MAN 8S40ME diesels
Power: 19540 kW/HP
Speed: 20 knots
Capacity: 12 passengers 3000 lane meters - Call Sign: OZHK2
MMSI Number: 219596000 - IMO Number: 9609964
Port of Registry: Copenhagen/Denmark
Sister Ships: Ark Germania
Current AIS Location
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History
November 16th 2010: Ordered for delivery to DFDS A / S, Copenhagen Denmark in 2012.
August 29th 2012: Builders filed for insolvency.
September 13th 2012: The order was cancelled.
February 15th 2013: Agreement was reached to continue construction with delivery not expected until at 2014. She would be delivered for combined use with DFDS and as maritime transport for the Danish and German Armed Forces.
Ark Dania © Gena Anfimov (Stralsund (Germany), May 2013)
May 3rd 2014: Towed from Stralsund to Fayard, Odense for completion.
July 6th 2014: Christened.
November 3rd 2014: Delivered to DFDS A / S, Copenhagen, Denmark and left Odense for Esbjerg.
November 10th 2014: Commenced services between Esbjerg – Immingham.
Ark Dania © Simonwp (Immingham on completion of first commercial voyage from Esbjerg 11/11/2014)
Ark Dania © Simonwp (Immingham, 08/08/2018)
Ark Dania © Simonwp (Immingham, 03/09/2019).
February 9th 2020: While berthing in strong wind at Esbjerg, Denmark, contacted a pier and the ship’s hull was damaged. She remained in port while repairs were carried out.
March 4th 2021:
“On the 1st April, DFDS will introduce a fourth freight ferry to the successful direct ferry service between Rosslare Europort in Ireland and the Grand Port of Dunkerque in Northern France.
The new freight ferry is DFDS’ “Ark Dania” with a capacity of 188 truck units (including 12 driver accompanied units and 176 unaccompanied units/trailers).
The direct service is favoured by haulage companies and industry alike, as it avoids the delays, border checks and complicated paperwork that come with using the UK as a land-bridge. Upon arrival in Dunkirk or Rosslare, the drivers are fully rested and can continue driving immediately to reach many major destinations within the rules for driving limits.
Just after Brexit, the direct route between Rosslare and Dunkirk was launched on 2nd January with three ferries to offer a cost-efficient alternative for trade between Ireland and continental Europe. The additional capacity also gives customers an opportunity to grow their business post Brexit.
Aidan Coffey, Route Director, says: “Ark Dania is an important addition to the route. It’s a very versatile ferry capable of carrying diverse types of cargo. It will also free up capacity on our three other ferries for more driver accompanied freight units”.
“We have strong demand from all sectors of industry looking to use the direct route to North Central Europe, as more and more realise the benefits of using the direct route compared to the UK land-bridge”.
Ark Dania will have it’s maiden call in Dunkirk on 1st April.”.
February 20th 2021: Remained in Esbjerg.
March 19th 2021 – March 20th 2021: Sailed from Esbjerg to Vlaardingen – Rotterdam.
March 20th 2021: Sailed to Felixstowe for services to Rotterdam.
April 8th 2021: Left Vlaardingen.
April 9th 2021: Arrived in Dunkerque.
April 10th 2021: Left Dunkerque for Rosslare and commenced regular (twice weekly unaccompanied freight only) service.
May 18th 2021: Left Dunkerque for Rotterdam.
May 18th 2021: Arrived Vlaardingen.
May 24th 2021: Commenced services Vlaardingen – Immingham.
June 2nd 2021: Came off service and sailed to Gothenburg to commence sailings Brevik – Ghent.
July 1st 2021: Services Gothenburg – Ghent
All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. All items included in this article are subject to © copyright. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking: Gena Anfimov and Simonwp for their assistance in producing this feature.
Article © Nigel Thornton and Ray Goodfellow (Dover Ferry Photos Group)
