Joint Finnish/Swedish shipowner Kvarken Link’s subsidiary Wasaline is to sell the 1981-built battery-powered ropax ‘Wasa Express’ to United Arab Emirates-based UME Shipping.
‘Wasa Express’ will be delivered to UME shipping following the delivery of the ‘Aurora Botnia’ to take her place on the Vaasa in Finland and Umeå in Sweden route.
Once the sale goes through, she will operate in the Red Sea.
“We are very pleased that we managed to enter into an agreement with UME Shipping who has a good reputation in maintaining and operating their vessels and have set a new standard for ferry operations in the Red Sea,” said Capt Peter Ståhlberg, Wasaline Managing Director.
“We believe that UME Shipping share our values in how ships shall be operated and maintained. It is an important milestone to have reached this agreement already now, enabling us to focus on the operations of the existing vessel, as well as the newbuilding project,” he added.
Mohamed Badawy, UME Shipping’s Chairman and owner, said that with the acquisition of the ’Wasa Express’, the Egyptian shipping company would become the first to operate a battery hybrid ferry in the Red Sea.
“In addition to the battery system, the vessel is equipped with a number of the latest optimising equipment in the market, effectively reducing the carbon dioxide footprint,” said Badawy. ‘The vessel is maintained to highest level and offers highest passenger standard. We are looking forward to taking over ‘Wasa Express’ and to continue the fine co-operation with Kvarken Link,” he said.
