BMT Designs New Catamaran Ferries for Portugal
Estaleiros Navais de Peniche SA (ENP) and
Portuguese operator Atlantic Ferries, a society that is part of the Sonae group
and the largest non-banking Portuguese group, has signed a contract for two 40m
catamaran passenger ferries, designed by leading catamaran designer BMT Nigel Gee and Associates Ltd.
The two catamaran ferries will provide a new
service across the River Sado from Setúbal to the peninsular of land to the
south of the river and are due to be delivered in October 2007. This short
ferry crossing will offer significant time saving to road transportation for
passengers travelling to and from the leisure and residential developments on
the peninsular.
The vessels have capacity for 354 passengers in
the main and upper deck passenger compartments, and an additional 66 passengers
in external seating on the upper deck. The vessels have a service speed of 12
knots, and are powered by twin Caterpillar 3406E engines. Propulsion is
provided by twin Schottel SRP 330 azimuthing propulsion units, which provide
high efficiency and a high level of manoeuvrability to minimise turnaround
time.
Alvaro de Oliveira of ENP Shipyards says:
"We selected BMT Nigel Gee and Associates because of its extensive
experience in multihull design and its strong, proven track record in designing
vessels that perform to contract specifications."
The vessels will be classed with Det Norske
Veritas and constructed to meet Portuguese Maritime Administration
Regulations.Principal Particulars :
- Length Overall: 40.5m
- Length Waterline: 38.6 m
- Beam Overall: 10.8 m
- Draft: 1.8m
- Full Load Services Speed: 12 knots
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