Cote d'Opale ferry
Former name: AVIC Weihai W0268
Cote d'Opale ferry current position
The current location of Cote d'Opale ferry is in North Sea (coordinates 51.09550 N / 1.39070 E) cruising at speed of 18.1 kn (34 km/h | 21 mph) en route to CALAIS DOVER CALAIS. The AIS position was last reported 2 minutes ago.
Current PositionSpecifications of Cote d'Opale ferry
Year of build | 2021 / Age: 4 |
Flag state | Cyprus |
Builder | AVIC CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard (Weihai, China) |
Class | Stena E-Flexer cruiseferry (Ro-Pax ship) |
Ferry route / homeports | English Channel (Dover-Calais) |
Building cost | EUR 121 million (USD 149 million) |
Speed | 22 kn / 41 km/h / 25 mph |
Length (LOA) | 216 m / 709 ft |
Beam (width) | 28 m / 92 ft |
Gross Tonnage | 40617 gt |
Passengers | 930 |
Crew | 70 |
Cars | 120 |
Freight vehicles | 160 |
Decks | 9 |
Decks with cabins | 2 |
Sister-ships | E-FLEXER series |
Former names | AVIC Weihai W0268 |
Christened by | tba |
Owner | Stena AB Group (via Stena RoRo) |
Operator | DFDS SEAWAYS |
Cote d'Opale ferry Review
Review of Cote d'Opale ferry
MS Cote d'Opale is a Ro-Pax passenger ferry vessel (currently under construction in China) to be operated by the Denmark-based company DFDS SEAWAYS. The ship has a maximum capacity of 930 passengers and a freight capacity of 120 cars plus 160 trucks (trailers). The vessel was launched in May 2020 and, as of June 2021, is scheduled to operate on the England-France ferry route Dover-Calais, with an English Channel crossing time of approximately 1.5 hours.
Cabins
MS Cote d'Opale is not classified as a "cruise ferry" as it does not have passenger cabins, meaning overnight stays onboard are not available. All other sisterships in the Stena E-Flexer series are equipped with staterooms for passengers.
Passengers can book Reserved Seating (Lounge), which includes airline-style fully reclining leather armchairs, complimentary hot and cold beverages (including branded coffees and teas, soft drinks, and wine by the glass), snacks, newspapers, and magazines.
Shipboard dining and entertainment options
Onboard amenities aboard the Cote d'Opale include:
- A La Carte Restaurant (formal dining with gourmet meals, fine wines by the glass, specialty cocktails, and children's menus)
- Buffet Restaurant (self-service with hot and cold meals, and kids' options)
- Barista Coffee Bar (offering sandwiches, cakes, pastries, fruit salads, yogurt, ice cream, hot and cold beverages, and freshly squeezed juices)
- Wine Bar and Sundeck Bar (open weather-permitting)
- Sky Bar Lounge (panoramic views)
- 2x Reserved Seating Lounges (with reclining chairs)
- Truckers Lounge (exclusive bar and restaurant for truck drivers)
- 2x Children's Rooms (indoor play areas with large TVs, toys, games, and supervised activities)
- Arcade Video Games Room (with arcade machines)
- Shopping Center (offers gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines, tobacco, branded perfumes and cosmetics, skincare, leather goods, toys, confectionery, fashion apparel and accessories, electronics, designer watches, sunglasses, jewelry, travel essentials). Promotions with discounts on premium brands are frequently available.
- Internet Room, News Lounge, Bureau de Change (currency exchange desk)
- Media Room (conference/meeting room)
- Casino (gaming lounge with table games and slot machines)
- 2x Cinemas / Movie Lounges (tickets available at the Reception / Guest Services Desk)
- Sun Deck (wooden deck with sunbathing and relaxation area served by the Sundeck Bar)
- Designated Smoking Area on the Sundeck, onboard kennels, and a pet-walking zone
- Free Wi-Fi service and ATM/cash machine (located next to the Information Desk / Reception)
A helipad (helicopter landing platform) is located midship on the Helideck (top deck) for emergency use.
All bars and lounges are equipped with large TVs and comfortable seating. All emergency instructions are displayed in public areas and at muster (assembly) stations. Life jackets are stored at the assembly stations. In emergencies, the use of elevators is strictly prohibited.
Pets on the ship
Pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) are allowed on the DFDS Cote d'Opale ferry, subject to specific regulations for the France-England route.
Dogs must be leashed and muzzled at all times and may not be left unattended. Guide dogs travel free and are permitted on all passenger decks but must wear a harness or identifying jacket.
A valid EU pet passport is required, containing details about the pet’s identity and vaccinations. Pets must also have an approved microchip (or tattoo) and valid rabies vaccination administered by an authorized veterinarian. Passengers traveling with pets must arrive at the port at least one hour before departure.
All pets must comply with the UK Pet Travel Scheme rules and be at least 15 weeks old. Microchips and EU pet passports are mandatory. Car passengers may ferry up to five pets per vehicle. These vehicles are marked with a colored hanger placed on the rear-view mirror until customs clearance. Pets in vehicles must remain inside at all times. Foot passengers may also bring up to five pets, but pre-booking of onboard kennels is required. Children traveling with a pet must be at least 16 years old. For groups traveling with six or more animals, each pet must be at least six months old.
The ferry is equipped with 25 onboard kennels, including 7 large-sized (100x97x94 cm), 2 medium-sized (100x64x108 cm), and 16 small-sized (100x65x50 cm) units. Pet visits during the voyage are encouraged.
Car decks
Car deck safety procedures include the following:
- Disabled passengers or those needing assistance should contact the ship’s Information Desk (open 24 hours).
- Engage the handbrake and place the vehicle in park or 1st gear. Turn off the ignition, alarms, all electrical systems, and headlights. Gas cylinders must be turned off. Lock the vehicle.
- Take only valuables and essential hand luggage from the vehicle.
- Note your vehicle’s location, garage deck number, and nearest stairway before leaving the car deck.
- Access to the car decks is prohibited during the voyage.
- Smoking is forbidden on vehicle decks, in cabins, and in all passenger lounges.
- Wait for the official onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.
- Do not start your vehicle’s engine until instructed to do so to prevent unnecessary air pollution.
The ship operator DFDS Seaways (fleet, founded in 1866 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark) is a Danish shipping company providing passenger and freight ferry services across Northern Europe.
Other DFDS SEAWAYS cruise ships
Cote d'Opale ferry Wiki
The vessel's construction began on May 30, 2019, with the steel-cutting ceremony (yard number W0268) held at AVIC Weihai Shipyard Co in Weihai, China. According to the contract (signed on February 12, 2018), the shipbuilding cost was DKK 0.9 billion (Danish kroner), equivalent to approximately EUR 121 million or USD 149 million.
Physical construction commenced on October 15, 2019, marked by the keel-laying ceremony. During this event, the first hull block was placed, and the newbuild's name was announced—"Cote d'Opale" (Opal Coast).
The ship was launched (floated out from drydock) on May 20, 2020, and delivered on May 17, 2021.
Unlike other E-FLEXER ships, Cote d'Opale features modified hull designs (bow and stern) and is equipped with an additional bow thruster (3 total) to enhance maneuverability. The passenger deck layout was also redesigned—adapted for the short English Channel crossings—and does not include staterooms, which is unique among E-Flexer vessels. The vessel (IMO number 9858321) is currently flagged in Cyprus (MMSI 210150000) and registered in Limassol.
The vessel was delivered to DFDS Group on May 17, 2021, six weeks ahead of schedule (originally planned for June).
The shipowner is Stena RoRo (part of the Stena AB Group), while DFDS operates the vessel. In 2018, DFDS signed a 10-year bareboat charter agreement with STENA. A "bareboat charter" refers to a lease arrangement in which the vessel is hired without crew or provisions. Under this arrangement, DFDS rents the vessel from STENA and is responsible for crewing and provisioning. On the Dover-Calais route, Cote d'Opale operates alongside fleetmates Cote des Dunes and Cote des Flandres, replacing Calais Seaways, DFDS fleet's oldest vessel.
The ship is named after the Cote d'Opale, a coastal region in northern France that borders the English Channel (to the east) and the North Sea (to the north), and shares borders with Belgium (east) and Picardy (south, now part of Hauts-de-France). The coastline stretches over 120 km (75 mi) between Belgium and Picardy. The region is known for its scenic beaches, dunes, marshlands, and high cliffs. Notable cliffs include Cap Blanc Nez (132 m / 433 ft) and Cap Gris Nez (50 m / 160 ft), situated between Calais and Boulogne. These are also France’s closest points to England. The largest cities along the Cote d'Opale are Boulogne-sur-Mer (France’s largest fishing port), Calais, and Dunkerque (Dunkirk).
"Stena E-Flexer" is a new RO-PAX vessel class introduced by STENA LINE, with a total of six units currently on order or under construction. These ferries are chartered to Brittany Ferries, DFDS Seaways, and Stena RoRo. Following a nearly two-year design phase, STENA placed an order in April 2016 for the first four E-Flexer ships from AVIC Weihai, with options for four additional units. Initially, the vessels were intended for operations in the Irish Sea (homeport Belfast).
Stena E-FLEXER ship technology
E-FLEXER-class ferries were designed by Deltamarin (a subsidiary of AVIC International), a company specializing in ship design and offshore engineering and construction.
The first six E-FLEXERs have a length overall (LOA) of 215 m (704 ft), a beam of 28 m (91 ft), a maximum draft of 6.4 m (21 ft), and a cargo deck capacity of 3,100 lanemeters, plus additional space for 120 cars.
The 7th and 8th E-FLEXERs are larger, at 45,000 GT, with an LOA of 240 m (790 ft), freight capacity of 3,600 lanemeters, 263 cabins, and a passenger capacity of 1,200. Interior layouts are customized based on the chartering company’s specifications. The interior designs were developed by Figura Arkitekter AB (Sweden) and Rheinhold & Mahla GmbH (Germany).
Below is a list of all China-built STENA E-FLEXER ships constructed by CMI Jinling (Weihai).
E-FLEXER number | SHIP | OPERATOR | ROUTE | DELIVERY | misc. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Stena Estrid | Stena Line | Holyhead-Dublin | 2019 Nov | - |
2 | Stena Edda | Stena Line | Belfast-Liverpool | 2020 Jan | - |
4 | Stena Embla | Stena Line | Belfast-Liverpool | 2020 Nov | - |
Galicia | Brittany Ferries | Portsmouth-Cherbourg-Santander Rosslare-Cherbourg-Bilbao | 2020 Aug | - | |
5 | Cote d'Opale | DFDS Ferries | Dover-Calais | 2021 May | - |
6 | Salamanca | Brittany Ferries | - | 2021 Nov | LNG-powered |
7 | Stena Estelle | Stena Line | Karlskrona-Gdynia | 2022 May | extended version |
8 | Stena Ebba | Stena Line | Karlskrona-Gdynia | 2022 Sept | extended version |
9 | Santona | Brittany Ferries | Portsmouth-Cherbourg-Santander/Bilbao Rosslare-Cherbourg-Bilbao | 2022 Dec | LNG-powered |
10 | Alasuinu | Marine Atlantic (Canada) | Newfoundland-Nova Scotia (Channel-Port aux Basques - North Sydney) | 2024 | LNG+battery |
11 | Saint-Malo | Brittany Ferries | Portsmouth-Caen/Ouistreham Portsmouth-St Malo | 2024 Jul | LNG+battery |
12 | Guillaume de Normandie | Brittany Ferries | Portsmouth-Caen/Ouistreham Portsmouth-St Malo | 2025 May | LNG+battery |
The first five E-FLEXERs are powered by two MaK marine diesel engines (model M43C) with a combined output of 25.2 MW (33,800 hp). The propulsion system is supplied by Caterpillar. These engines are "LNG-ready," meaning they can be modified for LNG fuel use. Four E-FLEXERs (ships 6, 10, 11, and 12) are LNG-powered by design.
Stena E-FLEXERs are among the most energy-efficient passenger ships ever built.