Rodriquez Cantieri Navali SpA won an approximate $57 million contract to build seven 147.6 ft. (45 m) double-ended Catamarans (type HC 18) and three 92 ft. (28 m) Catamarans (type MC 25) from Barcas S.A. in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The contract was signed on May 4, and construction of the boats will begin in June 2001, with delivery of the first vessels scheduled for approximately 12 months later. These vessels, designed and engineered by Rodriquez, are an extension of the CityCat range of catamarans and will serve the city of Rio de Janeiro and its suburbs. The 45-m HC 18, built entirely out of aluminium, will connect downtown Rio with the city of Niteroi, a Route of only three nautical miles but carrying approximately 22 million passengers per year.
