Irish ferries for Finnish yard

Aker Finnyards is to build what it is claimed will be the largest ropax ferry in the world when it is delivered to Irish Ferries in early 2001. The order for the newbuilding also includes an option for a second vessel, which is slated for delivery by January 2002.

With more than 4,000 lane metres of vehicle space, sufficient for 260 truck/trailer units or more than 1,300 cars, the ships will have capacity for 2,000 passengers and crew.

At 208m in length, a beam of 31.2m and a design draught of 6.4m, Irish Ferries` newbuilding is based on Aker Finnyard`s Cruise Ferry 4000 design concept. It will be propelled by a quartet of nine-cylinder Mak M43 main engines driving two shafts via twin input, single output gears, giving a service speed of 22 knots.