Spanish operator Balearia has signed an initial six-month charter on an innovative ro-pax ferry, which has lain idle in Poland since completion last May. Originally ordered by Brittany Ferries for cross-Channel duty as the Honfleur, the 187m vessel now bears the name Rusadir for her impending assignment on western Mediterranean service between Malaga and the Spanish North African enclave of Melilla.

Having been specified with an LNG dual-fuel-electric power and propulsion system, the ferry had been set to break new technical ground on the cross-Channel market from 2019 onwards. However, after a succession of delays, Brittany Ferries had finally cancelled the contract with Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) when the ship was half-built, following the German yard’s filing for insolvency in 2020.

Former FSG owner Siem Industries then had the hull towed to Norway for outfitting and finalisation by Fosen Yard at Rissa, with Siem intending to sell or charter the newbuild once completed. After a series of sea trials, the ship was handed over during May 2022 and transferred to a shipyard quay in Gdynia, where she remained. With Rusadir now due to arrive in Malaga on April 1 from Poland, the Balearia charter is about to take effect, and it is understood that there is a possibility of an eventual outright sale to the Spanish group.