In December 2023, sporting her white livery, the ro-ro vessel Ferrymar made her maiden journey across the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean. Completed last November, the proud successor to Le Marin was designed from the outset to have a minimal carbon footprint. This jewel of technology combines performance and reliability in its service of Martinique and Guadeloupe. The Captain takes us on a tour…
The tricolour flag flies proudly atop the mast of Marfret’s new ro-ro ferry Ferrymar, serving the economy and people of the French West Indies. She has a sleeker, more thick-set silhouette than the Marin she replaces, with a rounded, reinforced bow and no stem, revealing an increased capacity of 200 linear metres at the service of local shippers.
The 11,124-tonne, 120-metre long and 22-metre-wide vessel can take more trailers on its 1200-linear metre garage and an increased number of containers on deck. With a shallow draught, the ship has accommodation for 12 truck driver passengers.
The biggest innovations include the fitting of two shaft lines and two hybrid diesel-electric engines, enabling fuel consumption to be adjusted, guaranteeing optimum reliability. Also on board is a Safe Return to Port system, which ensures that critical services remain available for three hours. Its bow windshield protects fittings and equipment in heavy seas, while two electro-hydraulic bow thrusters make docking and undocking easier.
Shore power and wind propulsion
The Ferrymar has been fitted with sockets on both port and starboard sides for connection to shore power, regardless of its berth position at the Hydrobase terminal in Fort-de-France, where it spends two days a week. This means no more noise or pollution during port calls in Martinique and, eventually, Guadeloupe. Marfret is also planning to reduce the Ferrymar’s fuel consumption by fitting it with a propulsive wind assist system as part of its collaboration with Farwind Energy, which develops Fletner rotors that can propel up to ten times faster than a conventional sail. This spin-off from the École Centrale de Nantes is also working on the production of green hydrogen and methanol.
Taking delivery of a new ship always generates intense emotion and enthusiasm among the teams, after the months spent by the Sdari design office and the Marseille Fret shipping company on design, followed by construction by the Chinese of Jiansu Dajin Heavy Industry shipyard under the supervision of Alwena Shipping.
The Ferrymar serves the ports of Marigot in Saint-Martin, Gustavia in Saint-Barthélemy, Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe and Fort-de-France in Martinique.
An investment of $21M and numerous technological innovations to enhance the ship’s reliability and versatility are, for customers, proof of a confidence in the future and a compelling marker for a service that creates jobs and wealth and is constantly improving.