By
Laura Hyde |
Incat Crowther has delivered the first of two catamaran ferries to Dumai Express Group after the vessel successfully completed sea trials. The 33-metre ferry, named Ruby of Dumai, is expected to commence operations in Indonesia soon.
Both ferries build upon the fleet of first-generation 30-metre catamarans designed for the Indonesian operator. The new ferries offer “improved operational efficiency” thanks to an extended stern, bespoke hull and customised propeller tunnel, according to Incat Crowther. These design alterations mean Ruby of Dumai has a full-load draft of 1.5 metres, which allows for better access to local ports and infrastructure. It also enables the ferry to save fuel, reduce carbon emissions and complete crossings more quickly.
Ruby of Dumai and the second ferry, which is due for delivery later in 2025, have twin MAN D2862 engine setups, which will enable the operator to choose between a high-speed 1,324-kilowatt or a standard 1,066-killowatt option in future.
“We’re proud to see Ruby of Dumai delivered successfully,” said Brett Crowther, CEO of Incat Crowther. “This vessel is demonstrative of Incat Crowther’s ability to efficiently deliver high capability, bespoke vessels for operators around the world. One example of this approach in action has been the design of the vessels’ propeller tunnel, which involved our team of naval architects deploying a refined computational fluid dynamics analysis to optimise the design of the hull.”
Ruby of Dumai is a 33-metre catamaran ferry with capacity for 271 passengers
Built by PT Cahaya Samudra Shipyard in Batam, Indonesia, Ruby of Dumai has capacity for 271 passengers across two-decks. The vessel also offers luggage racks, three bathrooms and passenger cabins, with seating for 58 passengers on the full-width upper deck.
“Ruby of Dumai represents a step change in the Dumai Express Group’s fleet and we’re pleased to see the vessel has successfully completed sea trials,” said Mr Osman, director at Pt Cahaya Samudra Shipyard. “Incat Crowther has delivered a highly capable vessel that meets both our immediate and future needs by offering a world-class customer experience, while increasing our operational capacity and performance. Incat Crowther has proven to be a reliable and critical partner for our business as we transition our fleet to efficient, high-performance catamarans.”