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From: http://www.marinebusiness-world.com/index.cfm?nid=62874

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"Austal prepares to launch 102m trimaran"

Austal is preparing to launch its new 102 metre trimaran vehicle/passenger ferry platform at the company’s Western Australian shipyard.

The latest trimaran ferry builds on Austal’s landmark 2005 trimaran “Benchijigua Express” in every sense - optimising performance, seakeeping, fuel efficiency, passenger comfort and payload to deliver a truly next generation transportation solution.

With a maximum deadweight of 700 tonnes and a speed of up to 39 knots, the vessel is available for purchase.

By utilising Austal’s patented trimaran technology, the vessel combines the softer roll of monohulls with the low resistance, stability and carrying capacity of catamarans to open up new opportunities beyond those served by existing fast ferry designs. The trimaran’s lower roll speed means lower accelerations experienced by passengers – significantly reducing passenger seasickness.

Austal Director – Global Sales and Marketing, Andrew Bellamy, said the vessel had already attracted significant worldwide interest ahead of its completion in February 2010.

“Many operators recognise this as a fantastic opportunity to have a state-of-the-art high speed commercial platform delivered and in service as early as March 2010, just five months from now,” Mr Bellamy said.

Austal’s 102 metre trimaran delivers enhanced performance in waves and better fuel economy.

“The enhanced seakeeping of this vessel will help operators offer better service on existing routes plus also begin operations on new routes where sea conditions had previously been too challenging. The possibilities for many operators are definitely exciting.”

At the heart of Austal’s new 102 metre trimaran are three MTU 20V 8000 Series diesel engines, which offer the world’s highest power-to-weight ratio in their power range and are established as a low risk propulsion engine option for many leading high speed ferry operators.

A seating layout that draws on Austal’s 20-year experience with a wide range of customer requirements can be customised to seat up to 1165 passengers.

The extensive range of high quality onboard facilities includes two bar areas, a food preparation and service counter and a boutique gift store. Onboard amenities are designed to maximise accessibility and include wheelchair-accessible toilets, lift and four independent passenger entry points.

Passenger-friendly seating density ensures rows are limited to no more than three seats, increasing comfort and accessibility, which is important during longer journeys. An outdoor seating area is also available.

The vehicle deck has space for 245 cars or 190 truck lane metres plus 145 cars. The stern is reinforced to accept a vehicle ramp if required. With flexibility in mind, the mezzanine deck is a mixture of fixed and hoistable decks that allow the carriage of up to 132 cars with a clear deck height of 2 metres. When hoisted there is a height on the main deck below of 4.3 metres and 2.3 metres when lowered. The trimaran’s unique hydrodynamic hullform combined with its three engine propulsion train delivers fuel efficiency across a range of operating conditions.

A speed of 39 knots (@ 90% MCR) is achieved with fuel consumption of 4.78 tonnes/hour.