Fincantieri lands Moby newbuildings

In a deal worth some £200m ($224m), the Italian ferry company Moby Lines has placed a contract with Fincantieri to build two cruise ferries with one being an option. The Italian shipbuilder plans to commence construction in early 2004 at its Ancona yard. The first of the 36,000g newbuildings will join the Moby fleet in May 2005 and will operate on one of the company?s Sardinia-Corsica routes to the Italian mainland.

Powered by four Wärtsilä 12V46C medium speed diesel engines delivering a total power of 50,400 kW, the vessels will have a service speed of 27 knots with a maximum speed of 29 knots. Each pair of main engines is connected through a single reduction gear to a CP propeller. Auxiliary plant consists of three diesel driven generators with an output of 2,400kW each, two 1,600kW shaft generators and one emergency 500kW diesel generator. Manoeuvring equipment comprises two spade rudders and two 1,500kW cpp bow thrusters.

The 175m long hull will have a beam of 27.60m and be able to carry 2,080 passengers in 320 cabins in addition to 191 Pullman type seats. With a deadweight capacity of 5,400t, the vessel will be able to stow 665 cars or 1,950 lane metres for trailers arranged over three decks consisting of main and upper trailer decks and a lower garage below the main deck. A hoistable car deck will be installed on the upper car deck and access to the cargo decks will be by means of a side-hinged bow door and bow ramps in addition to two stern ramps. There are also 30 socket outlets for reefer trailers.

Passenger access will be via a separate passenger ramp located on the main deck from where passengers will make their way to the main reception area on deck 6 by means of two escalators. Cruise ship type of amenities include a 455-seat show lounge located forward on decks 6, 7 and 8, and a 488-seat sport bar with atrium situated aft on decks 8 and 9. Catering facilities are all located on deck 8 and comprise of, in the forward section, a 104-seater a la carte restaurant, while amidships there is a 329-seater self service cafeteria, a coffee shop with a seating capacity of 195 and a 54-seater pizza corner. A shopping arcade and swimming pool complete the onboard facilities. n