By
Rebecca Gibson |
BMT Nigel Gee (BMT) and Ares Shipyard have delivered two of the eight passenger ferries, which will sail between a new spa resort and Doha in Qatar.
Both vessels were delivered to the customer less than seven months after initial discussions on the project took place. Four of the remaining six vessels are currently under construction, while all six are expected to be delivered over the next four months.
“To support the opening of the resort, it was important to deliver the first vessel early in 2014,” said Kerim Kalafatoglu, managing director of Ares Shipyard. “BMT Nigel Gee proved again that it is one of very few design companies that can develop robust design solutions, while providing suitable levels of support during such an aggressive build schedule, without major discrepancies and delays.”
Designed specifically to transport guests to the Anantara Doha Island Resort & Spa – located 11 km east of Doha – the 18 metre-long composite catamarans can carry up to 51 passengers. The vessel has a fully air-conditioned passenger saloon with business-class seating and refreshment facilities.
Capable of sailing at a maximum speed of 29 knots and a service speed of 22 knots, the vessels will be able to complete the journey between Doha and the resort in around 16 minutes.