Jean De La Valette Delivered To Virtu Ferries
Mediterranean based operator Virtu Ferries recently took delivery of the 351 ft vehicle-passenger catamaran, Jean de la Vallete. The vessel marks a significant milestone for Austal being the largest catamaran built by Austal in Australia and its 24th commercial delivery to the Mediterranean region. The vessel will operate between Malta and Italy, and is designed to carry 800 passengers and 156 cars (or 45 cars and 342 truck lane metres) at an operational speed of up to 40 knots.
Jumbo Cat Ferry Features Six Waterjets
The 68m catamaran Maria Dolores will shortly go into service with Malta-based Virtu Ferries on the company’s established Malta – Italy route, propelled by no fewer than six Kamewa waterjets, three in each hull. A speed of about 36 knots with the engines running at 90 per cent of full load will link Valetta with Catania in three hours, with Pozallo in 90 minutes and provide a service to the Italian mainland at Reggio Calabria in four hours. Maria Dolores was designed and built to a high standard by Austal in Western Australia to suit the owner’s requirement for a fast ferry capable of carrying trailers, coaches and other high vehicles together with cars and 600 passengers.
Austal Delivers Ferry For Operation In Malta
Ferry passengers on the Malta-Italy route will be able to enjoy new delivery with the introduction of Maria Dolores, an Austal Auto Express 68 metre vehicle-passenger ferry for Virtu Ferries. Set to replace the existing 52 metre ferry, Maria Dolores will have additional capacity to carry 600 passengers and 65 cars or 95 lane metres of trucks plus 35 cars on a vehicle deck. This new vessel will operate on routes from Malta to Italy; Valetta to Catania in 3 hours, to Pozzallo in 90 minutes and Reggio Calabria (mainland Italy) in 4 hours. Designed specifically for these routes, with aft and side ramps for rapid turnaround and a Moulded Depth of 6.3 metres (approximately 20% higher than comparable size Austal ferries)…
New Ferry Delayed
The new vessel Maria Dolores for Virtu Ferries, due for delivery in the middle of this year, will be delivered by Austal Ship in January, according to a report by the Malta Independent Online. The delay is reportedly due to a shortage of labour in Western Australia. The vessel will carry 600 passengers in two lounges, one Club Class, 65 cars/campers and 10 trucks/TIR/coaches. The vessel has a cruising speed of 36 knots; crossings to Pozzallo will take 90 minutes, Catania three hours and Reggio Calabria four hours and 30 minutes.
