KNUD E. HANSEN has unveiled a 212 m ropax design that can carry up to 700 pax and 390 cars.
She is also designed to offer 2,955 lane metres for trucks and trailers.
The company claimed that the design’s layout and access arrangements makes it ideal for the Mediterranean market although it is also well suited for a variety of locations and operating conditions worldwide.
She has a service speed of 23 knots and can operate close to optimum engine load, even at slow speeds. The two engines have a combined power of around 25.6 MW and are fuelled by marine diesel oil (MDO).
For the hotel load, two gensets, each of around 1,500 kW will be fitted. There are also two tunnel thrusters, each of about 1,500 kW, located at the bow, which, combined with the twin screw arrangement gives a high degree of manoeuvrability, ideal for Med-mooring. There is also a large battery bank to power the vessel while alongside, resulting in zero emissions while in port.
The vessel features two car decks below the main deck, and two trailer decks above the main deck. The lower decks are accessed via fixed ramps. The main deck gives priority to trucks, which can be easily loaded via an extra-wide stern ramp. The upper trailer decks are accessed via a tiltable/hoistable ramp.
There is also a dedicated passenger ramp at the stern with an escalator leading to the accommodation decks. As an option, a hoistable car deck with a capacity of 390 cars can be arranged in the upper garage. Decks 6 and 7 are devoted to passenger accommodation and public spaces, which are suited for both day and overnight passages.
There are a total of 100 twin-occupancy, en suite cabins for passengers. Deck 6 features a self-service restaurant, bar lounge, air-seat lounge, a la carte restaurant, internet café, reception and shopping area. There is an open passenger area on Deck 8, with sun shades, a kiosk, and seating.
Also on Deck 8 is the navigating bridge along with 17 crew/officer cabins, as well as dining and recreation facilities for all staff. Some 21 double crew cabins are arranged forward in the upper trailer garage. The vessel has two passenger lifts providing access to all vehicle and accommodation decks and one service lift, which connects the galley with the provision store on Deck 2.
The vessel is certified as a EuroClass Type A ship and is fully SOLAS compliant. KNUD E. HANSEN said that it had 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.
This design has been developed completely in-house, by the company’s naval architects, marine engineers and designers.
