CONSTRUCTION of Searoad Shipping’s much delayed new ship for Bass Strait freight operations has resumed in Germany after another reincarnation of the troubled shipyard.

Work re-commenced Monday (31 March) on the dual-fuelled LNG ro-ro Searoad 1, which was originally ordered by Devonport’s SeaRoad Group at the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft almost four years ago.

FSG delivered SeaRoad Shipping’s hitherto newest vessel, the LNG-fuelled Searoad Mersey II, in December 2016 and the company’s satisfaction with that ship led to the second order, for a larger and improved version, being placed in September 2021. At that time the estimated cost was in excess of €100 million ($161 million at that time) and delivery expected in late 2023. The keel was laid on 27 February 2023.

However, FSG and sister yard Werft Nobiskrug, both owned by Lars Windhorst’s Tennor Holding, were placed into administration on 12 December 2024 when the Flensburg and Neumünster district courts initiated insolvency proceedings for four companies in the FSG-Windhorst group.

On 31 January 2025 the administrators announced Bremerhaven, Germany’s Heinrich Rönner Group would take over operations at the insolvent FSG, with construction of Searoad Shipping’s new Bass Strait ro-ro to resume at month’s end following completion of transfer arrangements.

In the event the transfer took a little longer to complete, but in a LinkedIn post SeaRoad said after overcoming some challenges related to the shipyard, the Rönner Group has taken ownership and re-launched the yard as Flensburger Shipyard.

“It was a momentous occasion in Germany, with SeaRoad’s Technical Marine Manager, Tony Johnson, attending alongside the Rönner team for the first steel cutting of the weather deck.

“Searoad 1 will increase capacity significantly on Bass Strait and is expected for delivery in the third quarter of 2026,” the company said.

This is ahead of the most recent estimate made by SeaRoad Group executive chairman Chas Kelly, who earlier this year estimated delivery in early 2027 and will be welcome news for the company which is also planning an order for a sistership.

The charter of Liekut has been extended to cover the gap until Searoad 1 is in Melbourne-Devonport service.