By
Alex Smith |
Nairana, a double-ended ro-pax ferry designed by Incat Crowther, has been launched in Hobart, Australia.
The Incat Crowther 44 design was commissioned by Sealink Travel Group for operation between Tasmania and Bruny Island in Australia and was built by Richardson Devine Marine. Incat Crowther worked with Sealink to customise the vessel to the operator’s docks, enabling her to interact with the existing shore-based infrastructure.
The ferry has an aluminium superstructure located on one side of a catamaran platform, which Incat Crowther says will create significant fuel savings compared to a monohull. The structure has both interior and exterior spaces, with seating for 32 passengers indoors and 30 passengers outdoors.
The vessel has capacity for a total of 36 cars and 192 passengers. The two central vehicle lanes will be capable of carrying a total of 90 lane metres of trucks, and the ferry is certified to carry dangerous goods.
Nairana is powered by four Scania DI13 070M main engines, coupled to Schottel SRP 100 azimuthing drives. If required, she can operate on two pods during off-peak periods, further reducing operating costs.
A second vessel is also under construction at Richardson Devine Marine.