New double-ended ferry 'La Gironde' crosses namesake river

The Bordeaux region is situated in the Department Gironde, directly on the Atlantic coast where a ferry service runs across a six-kilometre stretch between the picturesque towns of Verdon sur Mer and Royan.

This ferry connection saves passengers a detour of approximately 155 kilometres and/or a car trip lasting some three hours. The double-ended ferry 'La Gironde', fitted with Voith Schneider Propellers (VSP), entered service in 2002. It will receive a sister ship, also installed with VSPs. Owing to large tidal differences, strong currents characterize the river mouth of the Gironde into the Gulf of Biscay. Varying flow directions and fierce, blustery winds aggravate ferry traffic. During the construction of 'La Gironde', criteria such as high sailing stability and reliability proved to be the main incentive for the ship owner to decide in favor of the Voith Schneider Propeller as the ferry's propulsion system. Just like the first ferry, the new ship specifies a draught limit of only 2.60 meters. The new ferry will be built at the French shipyard Chantier Piriou in Concarneau, Brittany, and is expected to take up service in spring 2010. The public authority Conseil Général de la Gironde, which also operates the sister, owns it ship 'La Gironde'. The vessel offers room for 600 passengers and 138 cars or alternatively 6 trucks plus 93 cars. It measures 78 metres long and 18.3 meters wide. The ship is designed for a target speed of 13.6 knots.
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