By
Alex Smith |
Waterjet manufacturer Castoldi is to supply over 164 Turbodrive 400 H.C. waterjets for new ferries being built for the Maldives government to improve the country’s transport infrastructure.
The Turbodrive 400 H.C is a compact marine propulsion system that provides high towing power, cavitation resistance and efficiency at high speeds. The integrated Castoldi gearbox is contained in the waterjet housing, making the system lighter and simpler. It can also be equipped with Castoldi’s Clear-Duct unclogging system and controlled by the ACES Electronic Control System.
“The Turbodrive 400 H.C. Waterjet is the perfect choice for these vessels, designed to be lighter with integrated gearbox and ideally suited to the varying conditions of the Maldives, operating perfectly in shallow sandy water conditions and with optimum speed and control during voyage,” said Giacomo Castoldi, owner of Castoldi.
Shipbuilder Gulf Craft is currently constructing the vessels at its Maldives shipyard under instruction from the president of the Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
“Gulf Craft Maldives was founded 20 years ago with the aim of providing world-class ferry boats to transport the people of Maldives,” said Terry Stamatakos, general manager of Gulf Craft Maldives. “We’re working closely with Castoldi as our strategic partner to deliver the Touring 51 ferries to the government and their performance has exceeded expectations, thanks to their Turbodrive 400 HC waterjets.”
The fleet of Gulf Craft Touring 51 ferries will be operated by Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) and will transport locals from island to island. The first four vessels for the Maldives Raajje Transport Link network were officially handed over by Gulf Craft to MTCC in January 2022. They are currently undergoing route and schedule testing at Haa Dhaalu Atoll before ferry services officially begin.