Aura Seaways Explained

-- commercial vessels --> Ship Name: 2022 - present: Aura Seaways Ship Owner: DFDS Ship Operator: 2022 - present: DFDS Seaways Ship Registry: Copenhagen, Denmark Ship Route: Klaipėda–Karlshamn Ship Builder: Guangzhou Shipyard International Ship Laid Down: 13 January 2020^[1] Ship Launched: 31 August 2020^[2] Ship In Service: January 2022^[3] Ship Identification: Call sign OXFN2 Ship Status: In service Ship Notes: ^[4] Ship Type: Ro-ro passenger ship Ship Length: 230.31m (755.61feet) Ship Beam: 31.6m (103.7feet) Ship Draught: 72NaN2 Ship Draft: 8 Ship Decks: 12 Ship Ramps: 3 Ship Power: 2 x 9600 kW + 2 x 7200 kW Ship Propulsion: 2 x CPP propellers 5,3m in diameter2 x Wärtsilä W6L46 diesel engine2 x Wärtsilä W8L46 diesel engine Ship Capacity: 690 Passengers 4,500 lane metres Ship Crew: 62^[5]

Aura Seaways is a RoPax ferry operated by DFDS Seaways on their Klaipėda–Kiel route in the Baltic region. She is the first of a new class of Ropax ferries intended to operate the Baltic route with her sister ship Luna Seaways expected to join her in spring 2022. The ferry was assembled at Guangzhou Shipyard International and is currently the largest RoPax in the company's fleet.^[6]

History

Aura Seaways and her sister ship were ordered in 2018 as part of a service expansion by DFDS, in order to increase capacity on their growing Baltic Sea network. Currently, the routes between Klaipėda and Karlshamn are served by primarily cargo-based RoRo ferries providing limited passenger transport capabilities. The introduction of Aura Seaways enabled the combination of both passenger and freight networks, while providing an additional 30% of lane metres capacity on the route. Aura Seaways operates the Klaipėda-Kiel route ^[7]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Musnen . Frederik . DFDS NEWBUILDING MILESTONE: Keel laying for first of two new RoPax Ferries for the Baltic Route in China . Cruiseship Portal . 12 February 2022.
2. Web site: Simone . Jessika . Combined freight and passenger ferry for the Baltics launched in China . DFDS . 13 February 2022.
3. News: Andrews . Gary . DFDS Welcomes The Aura Of A Huge Ferry . 12 February 2022 . NI FERRY.
4. Web site: Ferry . NI . "Aura Seaways" . The Ferry Site . 12 February 2022.
5. Web site: DFDS's new-built Aura Seaways RoPax departed from China . OSM Maritime. 28 December 2021 .
6. Web site: Elksen . Marina . DFDS Takes Delivery of Largest and First Newbuilt RoPax in 40 Years . Maritime Executive . 13 February 2022.
7. News: Andrews . Gary . DFDS Welcomes The Aura Of A Huge Ferry . 12 February 2022 . NI FERRY.