Denmark's DFDS is bringing in a Stena RoRo newbuilding to boost its English Channel capacity.
The company said it had agreed a 10-year bareboat charter for a 3,100-lane-metre ro-pax due early in 2021.
This appears to be a new order, but no further details were given.
"The ferry will be tailored to DFDS' requirements for deployment on the Channel," it said.
DFDS' two Channel routes currently deploy six ferries and the charter is part of the ongoing renewal of the fleet.
The initial plan is to replace the oldest ship, the 1,600-lane-metre Calais Seaways (built 1991).
The final deployment plan will be announced in 2020.
The new ferry will also accommodate around 1,000 passengers.
DFDS said the vessel will be highly efficient and environmentally friendly with an expected reduction in oil consumption of around 25% compared to current units.
DFDS has been busy this month, agreeing a deal to buy Turkish ro-ro group U.N. Ro-Ro for EUR 950m ($1.17bn) and cancelling a freight route between Scotland and Belgium.
