MV Delft Seaways
ex Maersk Delft, Maersk Dover
Norfolk Line
Steel twin screw motor vessel built in 2005 by Samsung Heavy Industries, Geoje Korea (Yard No 1524) for A. P. Moller – Maersk (Norfolk Line)
Technical Data
- Length: 186m
- Breadth of hull: 28.4m
- Draught: 6.75m (design)
- Tonnage: 34,500 gross/10,300 net/6,160t deadweight
- Engines: 4 x MAN B&W 8L48/60B diesels
- Power/Propellers: 9600 kW each/2
- Bow Thrusters: 3 x 1800 kW
- Stern Thruster:1 x 1800 kW
- Speed: 25 knots
- Capacity: 780 (1000@2008) passengers, 200 cars and up to 120 freight vehicles
- Lane Metres: 2,000 (design)
- Lane Width: 3.3m
- Crew:70
- Navigation Officers: European
- Number of Decks: 2 trailer decks total 200m/1 car deck of 990m
- Call Sign: MJYC9
- MMSI Number: 235009590
- IMO Number: 9293088
- Registry: Dover/United Kingdom 🇬🇧
- Sister Vessels: Dover Seaways (1574), Dunkerque Seaways (1523)
Current AIS Location
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History
The second of a trio of Scandinavian designed “D Class” RoRo ferries built, between 2003 and 2006, at the Samsung Shipyards in South Korea.
March 12th 2003: SAMSUNG 1524.
January 11th 2005: Originally to be named MAERSK DOVER.
July 11th 2005: MAERSK DELFT.
December 12th 2005: Expected to enter service on the Dover -Dunkerque route in mid-February.
December 27th 2005: “Had her sea trials put back until early January and the crew are not due to fly out to Korea until the end of January. Don’t expect her to be appearing over the horizon until the end of February the earliest.” (Yahoo)
February 8th 2006: Had an incident , off Oman, when approached by a number of small fast which were believed to be pirates. These vessel dispersed when the ferry proceeded to increase speed to 28 knots.
February 13th 2006: According to Suez Canal daily traffic data, she transited the canal and is likely to pass through the Strait of Gibraltar on Friday (17th) or Saturday (18th). Estimated arrival in Dover, February 20th.
© Ray Goodfellow (Maiden arrival at Dover 20/02/2006)
February 20th 2006: Maiden Arrival at Dover. The weather in the port was a NE Gale force 8. The rumoured sail by with the MAERSK DUNKERQUE did not materialise due to the Dunkerque suffering technical problems.
“The reason that the sat equipment looks different is because the Delft’s Sea Tel dome was blown off on the way from Korea.”
© Nigel Thornton
February 22nd 2006: “Naming ceremony is in Dunkirk on Saturday 25th Feb and she is due in service on or before 5th March.”
© Robert Fournier (Dunkerque)
February 27th 2006: Maiden commercial sailing Dunkerque – Dover, early owing to breakdown of MAERSK DUNKERQUE and withdrawal of NORTHERN MERCHANT.
© Ray Goodfellow (Dover)
March 11th 2006: Berthed at the cruise terminal, Dover. Believed mechanical problems (engine room computer control).
March 12th 2006: Resumed service.
© Ray Goodfellow (Dover)
July 28th 2006: All 3 sisters running from 1200 today
© Gary Davies (Maritime Photographic)(Dover)
October 2006: In service between Dover and Dunkerque.
January 11th 2007: Departed for annual overhaul at the Scheldepoort Dockyard, Vlissingen (Flushing), Netherlands.
January 26th 2007: Departed the Scheldepoort Dockyard, Vlissingen (Flushing), Netherlands for Dover.
© Fotoflite
29th January 2007: “Technical problems with the Maersk Delft this evening. The vessel was inward bound for Dover and had to drop anchor off the Eastern Entrance as a major power fault developed after a computer system crashed. The vessel was eventually towed to Number 1 berth by both the tugs as a dead ship.”
© Ted Ingham (Dover)
30th January 2007: Resumed service between Dover and Dunkerque.
© Ray Goodfellow (Dover)
20th February 2008: Returned from annual overhaul at ARNO, Dunkerque sporting the new Norfolk Line.com livery.
© Andreas Wörteler (Dunkerque)
March 2008: Passenger certificate raised to 1000.
January 12th 2009: To ARNO Dunkerque for refit.
© Robert Fournier (ARNO Dunkerque)
January 21st 2009: Resumed service.
17th December 2009: Following months of speculation it was announced that DFDS A/S had acquired Norfolkline from A. P. Moller – Maersk for EUR 346 million subject to regulatory approval.
January 11th – January 16th 2010: Refit at ARNO, Dunkerque
January 17th 2010: Resumed service.
17th June 2010: DFDS’ acquisition of Norfolk Line was approved by the European Commission.
© Ed Connell (Rebranding underway 04/07/2010)
July 3rd 2010: Re-branding commenced. The shipping side will be known as DFDS Seaways and the trailer business will become DFDS Logistics. The ships will have a dark blue hull with DFDS Seaways emblazoned on the side, white superstructure, and a dark blue funnel with the DFDS white Maltese Cross in a circle. The ships will be renamed DUNKERQUE SEAWAYS, DELFT SEAWAYS and DOVER SEAWAYS in due course.
© Andreas Wörteler (Dunkerque)
© Simonwp (Dover, August 2010)
August 3rd 2010: Renamed DELFT SEAWAYS and DFDS funnel markings applied whilst alongside in the port of Dunkerque.
© Ed Connell
© Andreas Wörteler
January 10th 2011: Arrived at the ARNO shipyard in Dunkerque for her annual overhaul.
January 20th 2011: Returned to Dover and re-entered service sporting the new DFDS Seaways livery.
© Nigel Thornton
March 2012: Refit at ARNO Dunkerque and the installation of a Rolls Royce ‘Promas Lite’ system. This system consists of adaptations to the rudders and installation of new propellers which is said to offer significant fuel savings.
Late March 2012: Re-entered service.
© Ray Goodfellow
© Nigel Thornton
January 12th 2013: To ARNO, Dunkerque for refit.
January 15th 2013: Resumed service.
© Andreas Wörteler
January 15th 2014: Came off service and sailed to Vlissingen for refit.
January 16th 2014: Arrived Vlissingen.
January 22nd 2014: Completed refit and returned to service.
January 14th 2015: Came off service and sailed to Vlissingen for annual overhaul.
January 22nd 2015: Completed refit and returned to service Dover – Dunkerque.
DFDS Seaways (Left) © Carsten Dettmer (Right)
January 14th 2016: Came off service for refit and sailed to Damen Yard, Dunkerque east.
January 24th 2016: Left Damen Yard and sailed to Dunkerque west to resume service.
January 24th 2016: Resumed service.
© Nigel Scutt (Dover Strait Shipping)
© Simonwp
January 16th 2017: To Damen, Dunkerque for refit
© Nathan Burt
January 23rd 2017: Returned to service.
October 25th 2018:
DFDS APPOINTS SMC TO REVITALIZE DINING CONCEPTS ON-BOARD EASTERN CHANNEL FLEET
Award-winning ferry operator DFDS today announces the appointment of leading ferry and cruise ship design consultancy, SMC Design, to redevelop its catering outlets on board its Eastern Channel routes.
The redesign will commence when the first Dover-Dunkirk vessel enters dry-dock on 7 January 2019, with plans to complete the entirety of the fleet in just five weeks. The £1,800,000 investment, equating to £600K per ship, will see the relaxed food and beverage outlet revitalized to create the Lighthouse Café, a fresh and modern European coffee shop experience.
Steve Newbery, On-Board Commercial Director, at DFDS commented: “We’re delighted to be working with the prestigious SMC Design consultancy, on a project designed to offer a new, contemporary dining outlet for our passengers.
“The decision to revitalize the current catering concept on board our Eastern Channel routes follows passenger feedback, something we pride ourselves in listening and responding to. In an effort to boost passengers experience on-board, the Lighthouse Café will include a revised menu, recycling stations and a re-vamped children’s play area, all underpinned by a new and vibrant colour scheme.”
The project with SMC Design will continue over the next three-years and will expand to include a £180,000 investment and upgrade to the Horizon restaurants on-board the Dover-Calais fleet, with work commencing early 2019.
This re-design contributes to DFDS’ ongoing investment in its fleet which includes a chartered combined freight and passenger ferry (ro-pax) to be delivered in 2021 for deployment on the English Channel routes. This, in addition to the recent order of a freight ferry (ro-ro) new build, in August, and five previously ordered freight ferries, contributes to DFDS’ plans to increase operational efficiency in the route networks in northern Europe and the Mediterranean.
© Robert Fournier (Left) and © George Holland (Right)
January 23rd 2019: Came off service at Dunkerque (West) and sailed to Damen Dunkirk for refit
© Julien Carpentier
February 3rd 2019: Completed refit, sailed to Dunkerque (West) and resumed service.
February 17th 2020: Came off service at Dunkerque (West) and sailed to Damen Dunkerque (East) for refit.
DFDS reveals NEW Relax Lounge as part of a £3.9m refit investment
With many customers travelling long distances, the chance to relax is a very welcoming part of the customer experience. From today on, passengers can look forward to a peaceful and quiet journey in the new Relax Lounge. As shown on the picture below, the lounge has chairs built into an airline style pod for extra privacy, complimented by soft lighting for the perfect stress-free environment. While children can enjoy other activities and facilities on board, the Relax Lounge will only be accessible for passengers over 16.
The new fully refurbished Premium Lounge areas now have comfortable lounge furniture and modern décor to provide luxurious and peaceful surroundings. This private lounge is open 24 hours a day and is available for all ages. Passengers can enjoy complimentary glass of Prosecco, snacks and pastries, hot and cold refreshments and hot food available from the Premium Lounge menu.
With the success of the Horizon restaurant on the Dover to Calais routes, the refit also includes this restaurant being installed on all three ships on the Dover to Dunkirk route. Here guests can enjoy a selection of freshly cooked pizzas, pasta dishes and healthy salads.
Passengers will also benefit from new bathroom facilities throughout the ship and can now enjoy watching a spot of television in the Lighthouse Café, with newly installed TVs as an additional feature.
Steve Newbery, Onboard Commercial Director for BU Short Routes and Passenger at DFDS said: “This is a very exciting refit programme and continues on from last year’s successes with our Lighthouse Café. It also demonstrates our commitment to continuously improve the passenger experience. Dunkerque Seaways will be the first of the three ships on the Dover to Dunkirk route to receive a number of new looks as part of a £3.9m investment. The two other ships, Delft Seaways and Dover Seaways will be refitted from 1st March and the end of March respectively.
“We believe the improvements will help our passengers relax even more and give them the best possible start to their onward journeys. Many of the changes are in response to ideas and suggestions from our customers, so I am looking forward to the feedback from our passengers.”
February 2nd 2020: Refit complete. Sailed to Dunkerque (West) to resume service.
February 3rd 2020: Resumed service Dunkerque – Dover.
Refit 2020
© Steve Garner
© Nigel Scutt (Dover Strait Shipping)
© Julien Carpentier (Dunkerque, 25/08/2020)
© Julien Carpentier (Dunkerque, 15/12/2020)
© Julien Carpentier (Dunkerque, 10/06/2021)
February 20th 2022: Came off service and left Dover for major refit at Fayard A/S in Odense.
February 21st 2022: Arrived at Fayard A/S in Odense.
© Peter Therkildsen (Fayard A/S , 25/02/2022)
March 12th 2022: Refit complete, left Odense for Dover.
© Christian Høj Markvardsen (Odense, 12/03/2022)
March 13th 2022: Arrived in Dover.
March 14th 2022: Resumed service Dover – Dunkerque.
© Pieter Inpijn (Dover, 12/10/2022)
February 12th 2023 – February 22nd 2023: Planned refit at Damen Verolme BV, Rotterdam.
February 12th 2023: Came off service at Dunkerque and sailed to Rotterdam.
February 12th 2023: Arrived Rotterdam, Bottlek for refit.
February 22nd 2023: Refit complete, sailed to Dunkerque.
February 22ns 2023: Arrived Dunkerque.
February 23rd 2023: Resumed service Dunkerque – Dover.
June 2023
© Paul Cloke
February 24th 2024: Came off service at Dunkerque West.
February 25th 2024: Sailed to Damen, Dunkerque East for refit.
© Julien Carpentier (Dunkerque, 04/03/2024)
March 6th 2024: Left Damen Yard and sailed to Dunkerque West.
March 7th 2024: Resumed service Dunkerque – Dover.
🆕 © Stéphane Vancutsem (Dunkerque West, 18/03/2024)
All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions found. All items included in this article are subject to © copyright. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking: Nathan Burt, Julien Carpentier, Paul Cloke, Ed Connell, Gary Davies (Maritime Photographic), Carsten Dettmer, DFDS, Fotoflite , Robert Fournier, Steve Garner, George Holland, Ted Ingham, Pieter Inpijn, Christian Høj Markvardsen, Stéphane Poulain, Nigel Scutt (Dover Strait Shipping), Simonwp, Peter Therkildsen, Stéphane Vancutsem, Andreas Wörteler and Marine Traffic for their assistance in compiling this feature.