Wight Shipyard to build four ferries for Malta
Written by Nick Blenkey
The two 20 m and two 33 m catamarans will all be designed by One2Three Naval Architects
U.K. shipbuilder Wight Shipyard Co. is continuing its success in the ferry sector, securing an order for four vessels for Malta’s Captain Morgan Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Fortina Investments Ltd.
The order is for two 20 m and two 33 m catamarans, all to be designed by One2Three Naval Architects.
Peter Morton, CEO, Wight Shipyard, said: “We have been working with One2Three to develop lighter, more fuel-efficient ferries with the subsequent reduction of fuel costs. The operators see the long-term benefits in using less fuel and thereby reducing carbon emissions. We are also working to integrate the boarding design for the ancient wharves and docks of the towns of Malta.”
The two newbuild 20 m harbor waterbus vessels will replace a number of older vessels, which already service harbor routes. They will be designed to service the low wharves at each harbor providing easy embarkation and debarkation for passengers while cruising around the harbor.
These vessels will be of a similar design to Wight Shipyard’s Loch Ness Jacobite Maverick 20 m day cruise passenger catamaran, also designed by One2Three Naval Architects. The new 20m design is a slower harbor waterbus designed for going point to point around the main ports of Malta’s capital, Valletta.
The two 33 m medium speed vessels are a new design for Wight Shipyard, based on a commuter boat currently used on Sydney harbor.
