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Austal launches its largest vessel yet

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austallaunchAustal’s largest vessel yet – the 112.6 m catamaran ferry Leonora Christina – is on track for sea trials in March and delivery to Denmark’s Bornholmer Færgen in May.

The vessel was launched at Austal’s Western Australia shipyard this week following a traditional coin ceremony.

Placing a coin at the foot of the mast of a newly constructed ship is an old maritime tradition thought to bring good luck to the vessel and its crew.

Senior Captain Soren Schow travelled from Denmark with a coin from the year 1660, the same era as the ship’s namesake, Danish historical icon, Leonora Christina. An Australian two dollar coin was placed alongside the Danish two penny coin in a small box that was fixed below the foot of the mast.

Leonora Christina will join the 86 m Austal-built catamaran Villum Clausen, which has been operating the route between Rønne on the Danish island of Bornholm and Ystad in south east Sweden for over ten years.

“We look forward to welcoming Bornholmer Færgen’s newest ferry, Leonora Christina to Denmark, and are confident that this ship will exceed expectations,” said Senior Captain Schow.

Austal 112 m catamaran ferry

The vessel is owned by Danish company Færgen (formerly Nordic Ferry Services), and will be operated by its Bornholmer Færgen subsidiary. Once completed, it will be able to hold up to 1,400 passengers and 357 cars, and travel at speeds of up to 40 knots.

Austal was awarded the contract in April 2009 following a competitive international tender.

The vessel will fly the Danish flag and has been built in accordance with the requirements and under the survey of DNV, conforming to IMO’s HSC Code and Danish regulations.

The Danish environmental regulations for fast ferries are some of the most stringent in the world and Austal’s design is required to comply with legislation covering environmental noise, wave-wash and exhaust emissions.

The vessel is on track to commence sea trials in March, with delivery scheduled to take place in May 2011.

PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS

Dimensions
Length overall: 112.6 m
Length waterline: 101.3 m
Beams molded: 26.20 m
Depth: 8.50 m

Capacity
Passengers: 1,400
Crew: 30 – 35
Vehicles: 357 cars
Maximum deadweight: 1,000 tonnes
Fuel: 160,000 liters

Propulsion and Performance
Engine: 4 x MAN 20V28/33D (4 x 9,100 kW)
Speed: Up to 40 knots

Classification
Det Norske Veritas
+1A1 HSLC, R2, Passenger Car Ferry A

January 28, 2011

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