SMM 2002: mtu engines in demand for high-speed ferries

• 36 engines of the new Series 8000 on order
• Series 595 engines for Alaska high-speed ferries
• 56-meter catamaran for Egypt with Series 4000 engines

Hamburg - The new mtu diesel engine Series 8000 presented on SMM 2000 is being well received by the market. In the two years since the market introduction, altogether 36 engines have been ordered in commercial, navy and pleasure craft ships. The most recent order came from the Australian Yard Austal Ships and comprises four engines that are planned for a fast ferry for the Canadian American Transport Systems (C.A.T.S.). The four engines provide the 86 metre catamaran with a total power of 32,800 kW (nearly 45,000 HP) and reaches a speed of 40 knots. The ship has a capacity of 774 passengers and 238 cars and is scheduled to serve the Rochester - Toronto route on Lake Ontario. Delivery is scheduled for August 2003.

The State of Alaska placed an order with Derecktor Shipyards, New York, for two 73-meter-long aluminum catamarans for the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). The intended purpose is the transportation of over 300,000 passengers per year between 32 municipalities in Alaska by a variety of routes. The first high-speed ferry, with a capacity of 35 vehicles and 250 passengers, is scheduled to enter service in spring 2004 and will operate between Sitka and Juneau. The second ferry will, at the end of 2004, serve the triangular route in Prince William Sound between Cordova, Valdez and Whittier. The two ships are each powered by four mtu 16V-595 engines with a power output of 14,400 kW. This enables them, when laden, to reach a speed of 35 knots (65 km/h). The new vessels have been designed by the English company Nigel Gee & Associates in such a way that the existing docks and facilities of AMHS can continue to be used. Two further options on ferries of the same size are planned.

High-speed ferries for Egypt and Portugal

The ferry operator El Salam Um has added a 56-meter catamaran to its fleet of ferries on the Red Sea. Capable of transporting both passengers and vehicles, the new vessel will be in service on the 105 nautical miles (195 kilometers) long route between Safaga, Egypt and Duba, Saudi Arabia. The aluminum ship is powered by four mtu 16V 4000 engines with a total power output of 9,280 kilowatts. Built by the Australian shipyard Austal, the high-speed ferry can carry 430 passengers and 43 vehicles at a speed of 35 knots (65 km/h).

In addition, the Austal subsidiary Image Marine has delivered two ferries to the Portuguese ferry operator Transtejo. The 37-meter-long river catamarans, which bear the names "Pedro Nunes" and "Cesario Verde", are capable of transporting up to 292 passengers at a speed of 27 knots (50 km/h). The vessels are powered by two mtu Series 2000 16-cylinder engines.