By
Rebecca Gibson |
Australian ferry builder Incat Tasmania’s first high-speed, dual-fuel passenger and vehicle vessel, Francisco, has reached a lightship speed of 58.1 knots during sea trials, making it the fastest of its kind.
During a 1516 tonne displacement trial, Francisco achieved a speed of 51.8 knots at 100 per cent maximum continuous rating (MCR), operating with one turbine on LNG fuel and one on marine distillate. The vessel also reached a speed of 58.1 knots at 100 per cent MCR with the water ballast removed and both the port and starboard gas turbines operating on LNG.
“When we have less fuel on board, and delivery spares removed, we will see that speed go higher still in the shallow waters of the River Plate,” said Incat chairman Robert Clifford. “We are delighted with the efficiency of the design and sure that our customer, Buquebus, will be pleased with the results, enabling the ferry to compete with airline traffic on the River Plate route.”
These high speeds are enabled by the 99-metre vessel’s catamaran design, the use of lightweight, strong marine-grade aluminium, and the power produced by the two 22MW GE LM2500 gas turbines driving Wartsila LJX 1720 SR waterjets.
Francisco will carry up to 1,000 passengers and 150 vehicles, on the River Plate route between Buenos Aires Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay.
Named in honour of the Argentinean-born Pope Francis, the ferry is the eighth vessel built by Incat for South American company Buquebus and will be christened by Argentina’s president Christina Fernandez de Kirchner.
Incat’s previous high-speed record was held by Buquebus’ Juan Patricio, which was delivered in 1996 and operates at a top speed at 53.8 knots.