JUNE 4, 2013 — Recently launched by German shipbuilder Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) for St. John's, Newfoundland headquartered Oceanex, Inc., the 210 m Oceanex Connaigra will be the largest Canadian flag Con/Ro ship on its delivery later this year.

The ship has been designed to set new standards for innovation, flexibility, and environmental protection. Construction began with first steel cutting eight months ago, following four years of design and planning to ensure the ship will not only provide optimum performance and reliability in the harsh weather conditions of east coast Canada, but will also meet the company's capacity for the next 30 years.

Oceanex Executive Chairman, Captain Sid Hynes, says "the Oceanex Connaigra is a considerable investment and an essential element of our company's strategy to meet the needs of our clients throughout Eastern Canada. Furthermore, we are thrilled to build a ship that is classed by DNV as a "clean ship" and will be a world leader in energy efficiency and environmental protection."

With a deadweight of 19,300 tons and 13,700 square metres of available space, the Oceanex Connaigra is designed to carry containers varying in size from 20 ft to 53 ft as well as trucks, trailers, cars, and over-dimensioned cargo, the vessel can accommodate to a range of port infrastructures.

The upper deck can take up to the equivalent of 940 TEU of containers in conventional lift on/lift off operations, while it can also be used for RO/RO cargo using a hoistable ramp. Up to 95 trailers can be stowed on the main deck and on tank top in combination with 208 cars. Provided with both a stern door and a side door,

Ice-classed, it is also equipped with anti-roll stability tanks and a gyro controlled active fin stabilizer system "to ensure we have the most stable platform that is reasonably possible," says Captain Hynes, "further guaranteeing our ability to continue with Oceanex's proud 99% on time performance standard, cargo safety, and crew comfort.

Both Oceanex and FSG have placed the highest value on environmental performance for this newbuild project. Because of her optimal lines, the new ship will use 30 percent less fuel than comparable size ships, thereby reducing C02 emissions by about 20,000 tons per year.

The ship is powered by two MAN 7L48/60 CR engines, delivering 8,400 kW each, and also features two auxiliary MAN 8L21/31 diesel engines, each delivering 1,700 kW.

She is fitted with a Couple Systems dry exhaust gas cleaning system to comply with MARPOL Annex VI regulations coming into force in 2015.

Delivery from the shipyard is expected in the fall of 2013 at which time the ship will enter Newfoundland service joining the current Oceanex fleet composed of the MV Cabot, the Oceanex Sanderling, and the Oceanex Avalon.

Oceanex Inc., a privately owned Short Sea Shipping company, is a leading player in the east coast transportation industry. Oceanex provides full inter-modal transportation services between Mexico, the United States, and mainland Canada to the island of Newfoundland. Oceanex also serves over land all points in Newfoundland from St. John's daily.

OCEANEX CONNAIGRA

210.0 m x 29.60 m / 26,800 GT
19,500 dwt
10,000 mt containerized payload on upper deck
2,800 trailer lane m
6,200 auto lane m incl fixed and liftable car decks
Service speed 20.0 kn
Engines: 2 x 8,400 kW
Class: DNV 1A1, General Cargo Carrier Ro-Ro, ICE 1A, E0, NAUT-AW, BIS, TMON, DG-P, CLEAN