Danish fast ferry goes to Damen

Damen Shipyards Gorinchem has been awarded a contract to construct a 41 metre aluminium monohull fast ferry for the Danish operator, Christians?farten A/S, based on the island of Bornholm.

The new ferry will service routes between the Danish islands of Bornholm and Christians?, as well as to Simrishamn in Sweden. The shipowner currently services these three routes with conventional coastal ferries. The new vessel will be delivered in March 2006, in time for the beginning of the European summer tourist season, and will be built at Damen Shipyards Singapore.

Seating for 245 passengers is arranged inside on the main deck in air-conditioned comfort with heating and cooling. A further 66 seats are fitted externally on the upper deck. Kiosk, toilets and luggage facilities are fitted on the main deck. Further luggage storage is fitted below deck.

The vessel will be powered by three Caterpillar C32 diesel engines driving three fixed pitch propellers via ZF3050 gearboxes. Speed will be 25 knots at 1000kW per engine with 26 tonnes of deadweight.

A bow thruster will be fitted to assist with manoeuvring the vessel in the confined port areas which are typical on the operator?s route.