|
Incat delivers its largest ever
catamaran
'New era' heralded for
Japanese ferry transportation
Heralding a new era in Japanese ferry transportation, the impressive
new Incat 112 metre Wave Piercing Catamaran Natchan Rera has been
delivered to Higashi Nihon Ferry.
Specifically designed and built to meet the requirements of Higashi
Nihon Ferry, the Incat 112 metre Natchan Rera (Incat Hull 064)
delivers a craft well equipped to handle the demanding challenges of a
providing a vital ferry service between the islands of Honshu and
Hokkaido.
Commenting on the handover of the craft at Hobart, Incat Chairman
Robert Clifford said, “Construction of the world’s largest, most fuel
efficient diesel-powered high speed catamaran is a proud moment for
all Incat staff.
“Incat has been leading the way at the cutting edge of high speed
ferry design, development and innovation for many years and the
completion of Natchan Rera demonstrates the company’s position as a
world-leader in the high-speed catamaran market.
“These vessels are set to revolutionise the Japanese ferry industry.
Never before has such a technologically advanced ship operated in the
Japanese market. Never before has Incat built such a large ship and
for a new customer in an area with such enormous potential for Incat
High Speed Craft.” he said.
The order for the Natchan Rera, and a sister to follow next year, is a
major part of the on-going Higashi Nihon Ferry business development
plan for the expansion of regular passenger services across Tsugaru
Strait between the ports of Hakodate on the island of Hokkaido and
Aomori on the island of Honshu. The luxury vehicle-passenger ferry
will approximately halve the time currently taken for voyages between
Aomori and Hakodate by the existing ships and greatly enhance the
convenience of regular passenger services.
The Chief Executive of Higashi Nihon Ferry, Mr Shinji Koga comments,
“We gained confidence in high speed ferries after a research visit to
Europe in the autumn of 2005. As a result of our visit, during which
we were impressed by the Incat 91 metre ferry sailing with Mols-Linien
in Denmark and the 98 metre ferry sailing on the English Channel with
Brittany Ferries, we were convinced to introduce a high speed ferry on
the route between Hakodate and Aomori.
“Several Shipyards contacted us intensively but we nominated Incat
without any hesitation, not only because of the state-of-art skills
Incat possesses, but also the passion of Chairman Clifford and all the
Incat members towards the Wave Piercing Catamaran.
“I have no doubt that Natchan Rera will become our Treasure Ship. By
the same token, I am sure she will represent the firm and solid
partnership between Australia and Japan, including Tasmania and
Hokkaido, as well as Incat and our parent company, the Libera Group,”
Mr Koga said.
Concept
In 1998 Incat conceived that a larger Wave Piercing Catamaran was
required to fill a market niche for a larger high speed ferry. After
several years of research the 112 metre design emerged as a ship
capable of meeting or exceeding all design brief goals.
The Natchan Rera is the first physical result of that research.
Ordered in May 2006 the new craft will operate at speeds of
approximately 40 knots while offering capacity for up to 355 cars or
450 lane metres of trucks and 193 cars. While Incat’s 112 metre design
can accommodate up to 1500 persons the Natchan Rera’s luxurious
accommodation has been custom designed and laid out to cater for 800
persons in high levels of luxurious style and comfort.
The largest catamaran ever built in Australia the new ferry will
provide greater seakeeping qualities and passenger comfort, even over
the world-renowned Incat 98 metre class, on this often turbulent
crossing.
The Natchan Rera is powered by four MAN 20V 28/33D diesel engines,
each rated 9000 kW at 1000 rpm and delivering a low weight when
compared to other engines in its class. The advantages of engine
durability, efficiency, low noise and low maintenance costs make it
the engine of choice for Incat vessels, not least of all impressive
fuel consumption, burning less kg per cargo tonne per hour than any
other high speed catamaran. The ship will burn a very frugal 120 grams
of fuel for every tonne of cargo per mile travelled.
The vessel is also environmentally compliant with low NOx of <10g/kWh.
The fact that these vessels are built to be as light as possible,
consume clean diesel fuel and then burn less kilo fuel per cargo tonne
per hour than any other high speed catamaran makes the environmentally
progressive Natchan Rera a vessel which is well prepared for the
future.
Hull 064 Principal particulars
Length overall: 112.60m
Beam (moulded): 30.50m
Draught: approximately 3.93m
Speed: 40 knots
Fuel consumption: <190g/kWh
Deadweight: Up to 1450 tonnes
Total persons: 800 persons
Vehicle Deck: 450 truck-lane metres plus 193 cars or a total of 355
cars.
|
