Fast catamaran ferries are getting bigger and bigger, now carrying 800 dwt. But they are also loaded more and more with heavy trailers, whic was assessed as uncommercial before. The latest »lncat 96« design (96 m length) seems to be the first real fast cargo carrier. Built for operation in the Canary Islands by leading Spanish ferry operator Lineas Fred. Olsen SA, »Bonanza Express« was launched on 31st January from Incat Tasmania's giant Coverdales shipbuilding facility at Prince of Wales Bay, near Hobart. This 96 m long wavepiercing passenger/vehicle catamaran ferry of Incat's type »Incat 96« is a near sister of the first dedicated ro-pax vessel of this kind, »DevilCat« (see HANSA 3/1999, page 30), presently operating TT-Line's summer fast-ferry service across Bass Strait between Australian Melbourne and Tasmanian George Town. While Incat has had discussions with originally Norwegian-based Fred. Olsen over several years, it is only the introduction of the 96-m-series that Incat has been able to meet the Spanish company's requirement for the carriage of high volumes of passengers and cars as well as heavy freight vehicles.
展开▼
