Virtu Ferries has signed a contract with the Incat Tasmania Pty Ltd. to realize the construction of a high-speed catamaran for passengers and vehicles between Malta and Sicily. Delivery is scheduled for the 4th quarter of 2018. With a thousand gross tons, the ship will be the largest catamaran ever built RoPax to operate in the Mediterranean, as well as the second largest in the world. The ship will have a capacity of 900 passengers in four luxury saloons on two passenger decks and additional outdoor seating. The entire space of the garage-bridge is designed to carry 23 heavy commercial vehicles, totaling 490 linear meters of rolling cargo and 167 cars. At a cruising speed of 38 knots, the crossing from Malta to Sicily will be, as for Jean de La Valette, about 90 minutes. Incat Tasmania are the world leaders in the construction of large high-speed ferries with a focus on fuel efficiency and low environmental impact.

INCAT buildings, both commercial and military, they are located in all four corners of the world. Using Computerized Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with advanced testing techniques of free-running hydrodynamic model, the proven Incat, is characterized by “breaking” the waves thanks to its special hull form developed specifically for this route. The hydrodynamic tests were performed and approved by Seaspeed Marine Consulting Ltd on Haslar Ocean Basin reservoirs and Ship Tanks Gosport in the UK – normally associated to the British Ministry of Defence projects.

The project, already tested, the hull of the catamaran Incat, has been further developed to “break” the waves, to minimize the fuel consumption, to increase the comfort of the passengers and the seakeeping performance, at a certain speed simulated, typical of sea conditions prevailing in the Malta Channel. Everything in line with the Green Policies regulations, established by the international maritime sector.

The new vessel will be used on the main stretch of Virtu between Malta and Sicily, alongside Jean de La Valette. The current round travel program and daily return of the two islands neighboring the EU, will be further enhanced to better link Malta to mainland Europe. The Virtu is also looking at further expanding markets; a second vessel will increase the flexibility and reliability of the company. The company is undertaking a series of initiatives to boost inbound tourism and improve the business between the Maltese and Italian communities. The new ferry will be built in accordance with DNV-GL Classification Society Rules Regulation in full respect of the IMO High Speed Craft HSC 2000 Malta Flag Statutory Regulations and the requirements of the Italian Port State. As well as for all other Virtu vessels, the new catamaran will beat the Maltese flag.

(ITALPRESS/MNA).

Source: medNews