Media Release
Austal USA Launch 113 Metre Advanced High Speed Catamaran
30 September 2008Association with MTU 8000 Series Engines Continues
The second of two high speed vehicle-passenger catamarans for Hawaii Superferry has been launched at Austal USA – further strengthening the shipyard’s experience in advanced aluminium vessels over 100 metres in length.
The achievement comes just months after Austal USA successfully launched its revolutionary 127 metre Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) “Independence” – a state-of-the-art near-shore combat ship built for the US Navy.
With a service speed of 40 knots and the capacity to transport 866 passengers and 282 cars, the high speed catamaran joins sister vessel “Alakai” - which was delivered to Hawaii Superferry last year - as the largest aluminium catamaran ever built in the US.
While sharing a similar specification to its sister vessel, the 113 metre high speed ferry is fitted with a 20 metre stern quarter, bi-fold ramp, for use in austere ports without shore-side loading facilities. The hydraulically operated aluminium ramp has a clear width of 4.5 metres and is designed for 42 metric ton trucks.
Powered by four MTU 20V 8000 M70s, the vessel continues Austal’s strong association with MTU 8000 Series engines, which are widely considered the industry benchmark for high speed diesel engines in terms of power, reliable performance and fuel economy.
The MTU 8000 Series diesel engines offer the world’s highest power-to-weight ratio in their power range and are established as the low risk propulsion engine option for many of the world’s leading navies and high-speed ferry operators, with more than 160,000 combined operating hours worldwide.
Delivering up to 12,200 bhp (9100 kW) of continuous power, MTU’s Series 8000 has consistently set the performance benchmarks for fuel efficiency, less than 190g/kWh, while achieving IMO MARPOL NOx emission certification.
Upon completion of the latest Hawaii Superferry, Austal will have installed a total of 24 MTU 8000 Series diesel engines, proven in operation on six Austal vessels over the past four years. Austal USA has also installed two 20V 8000 Series MTU diesel engines in its 127 metre Littoral Combat Ship (LCS 2) “Independence”, which is being certified in accordance with the ABS Naval Vessel Rules.
The launch is another demonstration of Austal USA’s unrivalled capabilities for designing and constructing advanced aluminium commercial and defense platforms over 100 metres in length. The shipyard’s 1100-strong trained workforce have now successfully built and launched two catamarans greater than 100 metres in length, while concurrently building and launching the 127 metre trimaran Littoral Combat Ship.
Austal USA’s purpose-built production facilities in Mobile, Alabama are supported by Austal’s experienced in-house design team - comprising many of the world’s leading naval architects - and covering all facets of design including structural analysis, mechanical and engineering systems, electrical power distribution, electronic monitoring and control and outfit design.
This team already has experience designing six Austal vessels over 100 metres in length, including the 101 metre catamarans “Euroferrys Pacifica” and “WestPac Express”, and the 127 metre commercial trimaran ferry “Benchijigua Express”.
Sea trials of the second Hawaii Superferry will be completed in November and December, however the contractual delivery date is not until March of 2009.For more information on this vessel click here
For high resolution images to accompany this release click here
| Contact: | Austal |
| Phone: | 61 8 9410 1111 |
| Fax: | 61 8 9410 2564 |
| Email: | pubrel@austal.com |
