ON THE WATERFRONT: Superflex ro-ro ferries and the demise of the city’s shipbuilding industry

Superflex Kilo floated out from Pallion shipyard on December 9, 1988, the occasion marking the last newly-constructed ship ever to leave the covered facility. Renamed Mercandia I, she initially operated in Danish waters. In 1998, after a spell as Easy 1, she was renamed Anja 11 under the ownership of Norwegian Car Carriers AS. After a period as the Danish-owned Langeland, she was sold to Croatian interests in 2004 under the name of Split Prvi. In 2008, she was acquired by Varisal Servicos of Madeira and renamed Ersai 4 but later converted into a non-self-propelled floating workshop and storage barge in Italy. She remains in service as such for Kazakhstani owners Ersai Caspian Contractor Llc, which undertakes marine and energy fabrication and construction in the Caspian Sea.

Superflex Lima, launched from Southwick yard on October 11, 1988 left the Wear as Mercandia II for Danish owners. In 1995, she was purchased by Brazilian interests and renamed Baia de Todos os Santos. Acquired by Transbordadores del Caribe of

Mexico in 2005 and renamed Bahia del Espiritu Santo, she now operates in the Caribbean serving Cuba and the Mexican island of Cozumel.

Superflex Mike left Pallion yard just before Superflex Kilo on December 9, 1988, being renamed Mercandia III for Mercandia Lines of Denmark, a Chinese controlled company. She was renamed DVD No III in 1995, but continued to operate under subsidiaries of the People’s Republic of China government. In 2008, she transferred

to the Indonesian flag, carrying the names of Victorious-3, Bahtera Samudera and Labitra Karina - her current name. She remains in service for Labitra Bahtera Pratama PT of Indonesia.

Superflex November holds the distinction of being the last ship launched on the Wear, leaving the ways at the former Austin and Pickersgill yard at Southwick on December 12, 1988. To play her part in a TV docu-drama, the vessel unofficially bore the name New Heritage. She left the Wear as Mercandia IV and has been operated

by Danish interests under that name ever since.

Mention should also be given to the fifteenth sister-ship Superflex Whiskey, which was launched for NESL by Appledore Shipbuilders, Devon on November 11, 1988. In

2011, while flying the Indonesian flag as Laut Teduh II, she caught fire between Java and Sumatra and became a total loss. Sadly up to 27 people died.

Today, those ferries which remain in service present a floating epitaph to the history of Wearside’s world-beating shipbuilding industry, which must never be forgotten.

Pictured is Superflex Kilo, the last ship to leave Pallion yard.