Europe’s leading innovative shipbuilder, Fincantieri, has signed an agreement with BMT Nigel Gee and Associates Ltd, a subsidiary of BMT Ltd, to develop and market advanced high-speed ships based on BMT’s patented Pentamaran designs and advanced catamaran hull forms.

The agreement, for an initial three year period, will focus on large, fast, efficient multi-hulls for modal shift fast freight applications. On signing the agreement in Genoa, Nigel Gee, Managing Director of BMT Nigel Gee and Associates, said: “We recognised that in order to take the final step in bringing our mature designs to fruition as built vessels, we needed to work with Europe’s best shipbuilding talent and are delighted that we have been able to conclude an agreement with Fincantieri.”

The Pentamaran hull forms comprise mature designs with classification society approval for Ro-Pax, Ro-Ro, Lo-Lo and sealift variants, all capable of speeds of 40 knots and above.

Fincantieri Marketing and Business Development Chief Executive, Vincenzo Farinetti, added: “Fincantieri has been at the forefront of building for fast commercial and naval applications for the past two decades and recognises that the time is now right to develop in the field of much needed fast freight vessels to serve the Mediterranean and the wider world market. I believe the BMT Pentamaran represents the best of the currently available designs and we are impressed by the extensive design portfolio and the maturity of the designs, both structurally and hydrodynamically.”

Fincantieri and BMT are already in discussion with a number of interested ship owners and hope to move towards the first Pentamaran shipbuilding contract soon.