| (latest update 08-04-2009) |
Virtu Ferries, operators of the Malta –Sicily High Speed Catamaran Service, have signed a contract for a new building with Austal Ships Pty Ltd., of Western Australia; the vessel will be one of the largest aluminium hull catamarans in Europe. Austal are the builders of Virtu’s current Malta – Sicily Catamaran, the Maria Dolores delivered in 2006.
The new catamaran, an Austal Auto Express 107 will be named Jean de la Valette and will be delivered to Owners, in August 2010. She will replace Maria Dolores on the Malta – Sicily route.
The Austal 107 was chosen following a long and rigorous selection process; it was judged the best vessel for the route due to her versatility and all round efficiency, as well as being tailor-made for the route’s requirements, based on passenger feedback.
The Jean de la Valette will have a seating capacity for 800 passengers on two decks, with 3 catering outlets and a central shopping area. Passenger decks offer a passenger-friendly seating density of 2 to 3 seats per row, as well as an upper deck lounge area overlooking the vessel’s bow. A central staircase will lead to a first class seating area featuring a separate catering facility and two VIP lounges. Outdoor seating will also be available for more than 110 passengers, in both economy and VIP lounges. An additional new feature, particular to this vessel at the request of Virtu, is a dedicated lounge for commercial vehicle drivers providing a restful environment, the lounge is furnished with Eknes super-comfort full reclining seats with footrest.
The vehicle deck will carry 230 cars or 45 cars and 342 truck lane metres equivalent to 23 trailers. This will enable Virtu Ferries to efficiently service the growing need of private passengers with cars and campers, tour operators with coaches and commercial vehicles and trailers with accompanied cargo. The vessel is certified to carry dangerous cargo such as LPG, Diesel and Petrol in bulk.
Mr. Henri Saliba, Managing Director of Virtu Ferries, said “The demand for cargo traffic between Malta and Sicily since we joined the EU has exceeded our expectations. This is a 60 million Euro investment that will cater for the demands of the Maltese commercial, industrial and tourism sectors into the future and provide a scheduled year round service”.
The vessel will be powered by 4 MTU 20V 8,000 M71L Diesel Engines at 9,100kW each (50,000horse power) driving Rolls-Royce KaMeWa propulsion water jets, giving an approximate speed of 39 knots. The latest sea-keeping technology, Austal Ride Control, will be installed for maximum passenger comfort in heavy weather conditions.
The vessel will be built in accordance with the requirements and under the survey of Det Norske Veritas, conforming to International Maritime Organisation HSC Code, and Malta Flag State and Italian Port State Regulations. Registration, as with all Virtu vessels, will be under the Malta Flag.
Virtu Ferries have been operating high speed ferries between Malta and Sicily since 1988. Maria Dolores (600 passengers, 65 cars, 95 truck lane-metres) makes over 500 round trips every year between Valletta and Pozzallo and Catania, effectively making Malta part of mainland Europe.
Venezia Lines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Virtu Ferries, has since 2001 operated a six month seasonal service between Venice and eight Adriatic ports in Slovenia and Croatia. Two high speed passenger ferries, San Frangisk and San Pawl are deployed on this service, with a third San Marco due to be introduced. Another high speed vehicle-passenger ferry San Gwann operates between Bari and Durres in Albania.
JEAN DE LA VALETTE
PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS:
Length overall: 106.5 metres
Length waterline: 92.4 metres
Beam moulded: 23.8 metres
Hull depth: 9.4 metres
Hull draft (maximum): 4.90 metres
Deadweight (maximum): 850 tonnes
Passengers 800
Crew 24
Vehicles: 230 cars
or 342 truck lane metres + 45 cars
Fuel (approx): 335,000 litres
PROPULSION:
Main engines: 4 x MTU 20V 8000 M71L
4 x 9,100 kW
Propulsion: 4 x KaMeWa 125SIII waterjets
Service speed: approx 39 knots (85% MCR and active ride control)
RIDE CONTROL: Austal Ride Control
SURVEY:
Classification: Det Norske Veritas
REGISTRATION: Malta Flag
Issued: Tuesday 7th April 2009.
|
