Austal launches 107m ferry for Malta

Intended to address increased heavy cargo traffic between Malta and Italy, the vessel has the capacity to carry 800 passengers and 156 cars at a speed of approximately 39 knots and is on schedule for delivery in August.

The ferry will be Austal’s 24^th commercial delivery to operators in the Mediterranean region, which includes 14 large vehicle-passenger ferries, and will join Virtu Ferries’ existing 68m Austal vehicle ferry Maria Dolores.

Virtu Fast Ferries Ltd Managing Director Francis Portelli said the company was impressed with the speed of construction and quality of workmanship.

“The level of communication that we have experienced with Austal throughout the build process so far has also been outstanding,” Portelli said. “As a repeat customer, the quality that we have come to expect from Austal is evident. We are confident that the versatility, speed and all-round efficiency of this vessel will deliver the best possible solution for the proposed route.”

Designed to efficiently accommodate private passengers with cars and campers, commercial tourist operators and trucking companies, the vessel’s vehicle deck has the capacity to carry up to 156 cars or 45 cars and 342 truck lane metres. Vehicle loading and unloading will be achieved via ramps installed on both the stern and port-side.

Seating for the ferry’s 800 passengers will be spread over two decks, each offering a passenger-friendly seating density of 2-3 seats per row, as well as a dedicated upper deck lounge area overlooking the vessel’s bow. A central staircase will lead to a first class seating area featuring natural overhead lighting, a separate kiosk and two VIP lounges. Outdoor seating will also be available for more than 110 passengers.

Powering the vessel will be four MTU 20V 8000 M71L diesel engines producing 9,100kW each and driving Rolls-Royce Kamewa waterjets.

Austal was awarded the contract in April 2009 following a competitive international tender process which saw Austal utilise its in-house design team and experience to develop a highly customised vessel design that met all Virtu’s requirements for the route.

The vessel is being built in accordance with the requirements and under the survey of Det Norske Veritas, conforming to International Maritime Organisation HSC Codes and Malta Flag State and Italian Port State Regulations. Registration will be under the Malta Flag.

The vessel is on track to commence sea trials in June.

Austal is also nearing completion of its 102m vehicle-passenger trimaran ferry, which is currently available for purchase. The vessel recently exceeded performance expectations during sea trials, achieving a speed of 39 knots at 90% MCR with 340 tonnes deadweight. Construction is also underway on Austal’s largest ever catamaran – a 113m vehicle-passenger ferry for Denmark due for delivery in mid-2011.

PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS:
Length overall: 106.5m
Length waterline: 92.4m
Beam moulded: 23.8m
Hull depth: 9.4m
Hull draught (maximum): 4.90 m
Deadweight (maximum): 850 tonnes
Passengers 800
Crew 24
Vehicles: 156 cars or 342 truck lane metres + 45 cars
Fuel (approx): 335,000 litres

PROPULSION:
Main engines: 4 x MTU 20V 8000 M71L 4 x 9,100 kW
Propulsion: 4 x Kamewa 125SIII waterjets
Service speed: approx 39 knots (85% MCR and active ride control)

RIDE CONTROL: Austal Ride Control

SURVEY: Classification: Det Norske Veritas

Virtu Ferries has been operating high speed ferries between Malta and Sicily since 1988.Maria Dolores (600 passengers, 65 cars, 95 truck lane-metres) makes over 500 round trips every year between Valletta (Malta) and Pozzallo (Italy) and Catania (Italy). Venezia Lines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Virtu Ferries, has run a six month seasonal service between Venice and eight Adriatic ports in Slovenia and Croatia since 2001. Two high speed passenger ferries are deployed on this service, with a third to be introduced this year. Another high speed vehicle-passenger ferry operates between Bari (Italy) and Durres in Albania.