Alternative having been transformed into an important Ro-Ro transport brand within a short period of three years, Alternative Transport launched its sixth vessels, MELEQ on Friday, November 18, at an event attended by 200 guests in Flensburg, Germany.
MELEQ has a 280-trailer capacity and will join Alternative Transport’s five-strong Ro-Ro vessel fleet in February, 2017, to serve the Turkey to Italy route. The vessel is 210 meters long, has a freight capacity of 32,600 tons, and can achieve the top speed of 21.3 knots.
Following the launch, which hosted prominent logistics industry guests from all over the Europe, Ekol Logistics and Alternative Transport Chairman Ahmet Musul commented, “Three years ago we set out on our journey chartering vessels. Today we are proud to be launching our sixth Ro-Ro vessels, MELEQ. On the way, we have achieved sustainable growth and invested more than €100 million in expanding our fleet. After introducing MELEQ, we will continue to open new routes and increase frequency in existing routes through new investments. Furthermore, we plan to complete construction and begin operations at the Yalova Ro-Ro Terminal in the beginning of 2017. We will be offering significant operational advantages to the industry with our expanding fleet and our new terminal.”
“We are pleased by the opportunity and trust given by Ekol Logistics and Alternative Transport and are very confident that our experience and knowledge on the design and construction of these type of vessels will provide an important contribution to the success of both Ekol and Alternative” said Henrique Pestana, Chief Design Officer of FSG, the builder of MELEQ.
