By
Elly Yates-Roberts |
Australian marine engineering firm Incat Crowther has designed a double-ended ro-pax ferry, which Australian ferry company Sealink Travel Group will use to provide services to Bruny Island in Tasmania from 2019.
To be built by Richardson Devine Marine in Tasmania, the vessel is a robust aluminium catamaran, which means it will offer significant fuel savings. The flexible design will enable Sealink to add an extra vehicle deck at a later date if necessary. This further reduces fuel costs as it removes the need to carry an extra deck until the market demands it.
The vessel will be able to carry 36 cars and 150 passengers. The elevated cabin located on one side of the vessel is divided between an indoor space that seats 36 passengers in booths with tables, and an outdoor space featuring café-style seating for 30 passengers.
Scania will provide four DI13 070M engines, which will be positioned at each corner of the vessel and will be directly coupled to Schottel SRP 100 azimuthing drives. As well as offering manoeuvrability, these drives will provide efficient propulsion with all four delivering thrust in the direction of vessel travel. The ferry will also be able to operate on two pods during off-peak periods, reducing operating costs.
The ferry will enter service in December 2019.