Fast ferry order

Rodriquez has secured a contract for an 83m Aquastrada-design monohull fast ferry. The Sicilian-based shipbuilder confirms it is “well underway on construction” of the aluminium- hulled ship at its Pietra Ligure shipyard in north-west Italy. The fast ferry is scheduled for delivery to an undisclosed owner in Autumn 2002. It will provide both car and passenger accommodation. The owner has specified a service speed of around 30 knots. The power required to achieve this will be produced by four Paxman 18VP185 diesel engines and is delivered through four waterjets. The Pietra Ligure shipyard also holds a contract for a 68m private yacht and is undertaking significant fabrication work on a series of 30 fast patrol boats for the Italian Navy. The latter contract involves deliveries into 2003. The shipbuilder is also building 10 catamarans at its new Brazilian subsidiary, Rodriquez do Brasil. These are for local company Barcos.