Danish-based ship designer and consultant, Knud E. Hansen (KEH) has unveiled a 154 m ropax ferry design that will be able to accommodate up to 1,500 pax and 440 cars.
The design also boasts an additional 657 lane meters for trucks and trailers. Its impressive manoeuvring and docking capabilities make it an ideal choice for eg, the Mediterranean market, although it is well suited for a variety of locations and operating conditions worldwide, KEH said.
The vessel will have a service speed of 25 knots and can operate close to optimum engine load even at slow speeds, due to its diesel-electric propulsion plant and azimuthing pods. The four engines have a combined power of around 48 MW and are fuelled by marine diesel oil (MDO).
There will also two tunnel thrusters fitted located at the bow which, combined with the azipods, allow the vessel to move laterally without any forward or aft motion, a very desirable feature for mooring. There is also a large battery bank to power the vessel while alongside, resulting in zero emissions in port.
The design features two car decks below the Main Deck that are accessed via fixed ramps. The Main Deck gives priority to trucks, which can be easily loaded via an extra-wide stern ramp. There is also a dedicated passenger ramp astern with an escalator leading to the accommodation decks. Deck 4 will be fitted with a hoistable car deck at the forward end that spans over 50 m and can be raised to allow for additional truck loading. Deck 5 will include an additional car deck accessed via a hoistable ramp on the starboard side.
Decks 5 through 7 will comprise passenger accommodation and public spaces, which will be suited for both day voyages and overnight passages. There will be 112 twin-occupancy, en suite cabins with the majority facing outboard, giving passengers unobstructed ocean views. Deck 6 will feature a self-service restaurant, bar, two lounges, internet café, reception and shopping area. There will be an open observation deck on Deck 5 forward, as well as sun decks on Decks 6 through 8 aft, all fitted with exterior seating.
The wheelhouse is located on Deck 8 along with 41 single-occupancy crew/officer cabins, as well dining and recreation facilities for all staff. She will have two passenger lifts providing access to all vehicle and accommodation decks, as well as one service lift. Unique to this vessel design is a dedicated heli-pad located on the top deck.
The vessel is certified as a EuroClass Type A ship and is fully SOLAS compliant. KEH has aimed to achieve the highest level of survivability with strict adherence to Safe Return to Port (SRtP) requirements through the inclusion of redundant, segregated power and propulsion systems, as well as passenger safe havens and an auxiliary wheelhouse.
Interior design work was developed in co-operation with B33, which is a flexible design hub that includes furniture and product designers, interior designers, as well as landscape architects. The team at Design Studio B33 is comprised of designers with a focus on designs grounded in Scandinavian aesthetics.
