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Finnlines reports that its vessel lengthening programme - designed to reduce bunker costs per transported unit - is in full swing at the Remontowa S.A. shipyard in Gdansk, Poland.

The first lengthening project has been completed, with the maiden 'Breeze series' ro-ro vessel, the MS Finntide, extended by approximately 30 metres.

The Finntide arrived in Gdansk on September 25. The vessel was then cut in two and a 30-metre section was inserted between the parts. The sections were welded together again, and around 1,000 additional lane metres were added to the vessel capacity.

The close to 30 percent capacity increase is expected to considerably reduce the energy consumption per transported unit - and thus improve energy efficiency - compared to the original vessel.

After the modification, the MS Finntide is 217.77 metres long and has a capacity of 4,213 lane metres. In practice, around a kilometre of trucks more per ship can be hosted on board.

As Bunker Index previously reported, Finnlines' Energy Efficiency and Emission Reduction Investment Programme (EEERI) was launched this year. It follows the company's EUR 100 million Environmental Technology Investment Programme (ETI), which has included the installation of exhaust gas scrubbers, investments in propulsion and reblading, and silicone anti-fouling, and which came to an end in April.

Through this latest EUR 70 million investment programme, Finnlines will lengthen four of its Breeze series ro-ro vessels with options for two more ships. The whole lengthening programme is slated for completion by May 2018.

The MS Finntide will return to normal operation on the Uusikaupunki/Turku-Travemunde route on November 26. The next vessel to be converted is due to leave for the shipyard on November 28.

"Finnlines has continued to invest in its fleet to become a more environmentally friendly and a more sustainable shipping company. We continue to optimise our operations and seek for growth in order to strengthen our competitive position. In response to growing demand, we are expanding our fleet capacity through this lengthening programme. This way we can serve our customers better and grow together with them," remarked Tom Pippingskold, CFO of Finnlines.