Incat Crowther reports successes in China

Chinese shipbuilder Afai Ships, which builds aluminum vessels up to 120 m at its shipyard in Panzu, has recently awarded two design contracts to Australia’s Incat Crowther. One covers two 35 m catamaran ferries for Zhuhai High Speed Ferry Co. The other covers two 34 m catamaran ferries for Shenzen Xunlong Passenger Ferries.

The two ferries for Zhuhai will each accommodate 198 passengers, all on the main deck. A large bar is situated amidships, and there are two VIP rooms. Crew accommodations, pantry and electrical rooms are located aft on the main deck. The vessels will each be powered by a pair of MTU 16V2000 M70 main engines.

The 34 m cats for Shenzen Xunlong will each carry 188 passengers. Each of these vessels will have 152 economy class seats on the main deck with a kiosk forward. The upper deck will have 20 seats located at tables, a 10-passenger lounge and a 6-passenger VIP lounge.
Like the 35m ferries, each will be powered by a pair of MTU 16V2000 M70 main engines. The vessels will be fitted with a pair of MJP 550DD water jets.

Meanwhile, Cheoy Lee Shipyards in Doumen, China has recently launched two 28 m Incat Crowther design composite catamaran ferries.

Sea Serene and Sea Superb are the fourth and fifth Incat Crowther catamarans for the operator, Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Holdings. The vessels were made in a female mold that has an interchangeable center module. This allows a range of lengths for the design from 24 to 32 m.

Sea Serene and Sea Superb are configured to carry 425 passengers at a service speed of 25 knots. Incat Crowther also has a 28 m version of this design under construction in Russia, proving the versatility of the design.

January 24, 2011