Rodriquez Cantieri Navali Awarded Contract

Rodriquez Cantieri Navali SpA of Italy and Arab Bridge Maritime Company of Jordan have signed a contract for a TMV 84 high-speed monohull to operate on their route from Aqaba, Jordan to Nuweiba, Egypt. The ship is scheduled to be delivered in less than a year from now. This route is currently served by a series of older passenger ferries as well as a 1992 built 131-ft. Flying Cat. For Arab Bridge Maritime Company, this will be the first new building in the history of the company and will also be the first new passenger ferry ever in Jordan with a Jordanian flag. For Rodriquez, this contract continues the diversification efforts of the company as it is the first contract with a Middle Eastern company in their history and further solidifies Rodriquez as a leading fast ferry builder. The TMV 84 is an 84 meter, 35 knot, all aluminium monohull with a capacity for 710 passengers divided between economy class, first class and a special VIP salon. It can also carry 58 cars or a mix between 10 buses and 18 cars. Loading of both passengers and vehicles will be via the stern ramps with two being dedicated for the passengers and the third being for vehicles only. The passenger interiors will combine the need to efficiently handle 710 passengers in a high use / low maintenance environment but with a very high standard of finish to reflect the high standards of Arab Bridge Maritime Company. There will be two bars for the main deck (economy class) and a dedicated bar on the upper deck for the first class and VIP salon. In addition, there is a duty free shop as well as two offices, one for the ship which will be used as an information area and the other for the immigration officers as this vessel will travel on an international route.