FlyingCat for Malta

Norway

Kvaerner Fjellstrand has secured an order from Maltese Shipping Company Virtu Ferries Ltd for the construction of a FlyingCat 50, the yard`s proven high-speed passenger/vehicle ferry design. The ferry newbuilding will have capacity for 418 passengers and 21 cars, and will be operated by Virtu Ferries between Malta and Sicily.

Propulsion for a service speed of 40 knots will be provided by four main diesel engines driving water jets. For improved ride, a Kvaerner Motion Dampening System will be fitted. The contract, which is valued at Nkr90 million ($11.68 million), calls for delivery of the vessel in the early summer of 1999.

The Norwegian yard is also building a second 60m JumboCat fast ferry for Nordic Jetline Finland Oy following that operator`s decision to declare an option worth $22 million. The JumboCat design accommodates 430 passengers and 52 cars, or a combination of two buses and 40 cars, and has a cruising speed of 40 knots. It will be delivered in May next year.