Monday, April 14, 2008

FBMA Marine Inc. Announce Contract With Wightlink Limited For Two New Medium Speed Catamaran Ferries

FBMA Marine Inc. (FBMA), the Aboitiz-owned shipbuilder based in Cebu, Philippines has signed a new building contract with Wightlink, Portsmouth UK. The order is to design and build two new 41m medium speed passenger catamarans, for use on the Portsmouth - Ryde crossing. This success builds on FBMA Marine Inc.'s new building contract for a 70m Ropax ferry for Scotland, UK, and a 57m high speed catamaran ferry for New Caledonia.
The order for FBMA project 1026 and 1027, was awarded following an international tender and the two vessels, due for delivery in summer 2009, will provide replacements for two existing high speed catamaran vessels. The new catamarans, designed by BMT Nigel Gee Ltd, have been configured to optimise both seakeeping and fuel efficiency on the very busy Portsmouth - Ryde commuter route. The vessels have a single accommodation deck with 260 seats and double width boarding access doors, to enable rapid embarkation and disembarkation. Additional features include the incorporation of a dedicated stowage for bicycles and an external seating area.
Craig Patrick of FBMA Marine Inc. commented: "This order has been won by FBMA Marine on the knowledge and experience gained from a growing portfolio of successful high speed catamaran projects. This project was secured against strong competition from traditional catamaran builders, and we are proud to have won this order based on both our cost effectiveness and technical ability to meet stringent MCA and EU regulations. We are also very pleased to be working with BMT Nigel Gee and look forward to our continuing successful association, drawing on our considerable experience of building high speed aluminium vessels here in Cebu. We are also delighted at the repeat business from Wightlink, their existing fast passenger catamarans were refitted with us in FBMA Marine prior to delivery in 1997.
Principal particulars:
Length overall : 40.90 m
Length waterline : 38.60 m
Beam overall : 12.00 m
Draft : 1.60 m
Passengers : 260
Bicycles : 20
Speed : 20 knots at 85% MCR
UK Flagged - HSC 2000 Cat A

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