Rodriquez Marine Systems News

Currently under construction at Rodriquez Cantieri Navali SpA's Pietra Ligure shipyard is a TMV 115 high-speed passenger and vehicle ferry for the Spanish ferry operator Balearia Eurolines Maritimes. The contract for this vessel was signed in January 2000 and delivery is expected in May 2001. Though very similar in size and capacity to the previous TMV 114 delivered to Spanish operator Armas Ocean Jet in April of this year, there are notable differences. The reasons for these differences between the two vessels are due to owner preferences, including the choice of hull material. The additional truck lane meters of the TMV 115 have been obtained by using hoistable central and outboard car decks to allow for these taller vehicles.

Italian shipyard group Rodriquez Cantieri Navali and Genoa-based classification society RINA have jointly developed an innovative and environmentally friendly high-speed ferry. A full scale prototype of the Aliswath, presently under construction, will undertake sea trials in 2007. The Aliswath hybrid design combines the small wetted area of the SWATH concept with a hydrofoil system. The prototype is designed to carry 450 passengers and 60 cars at speeds up to 28 knots, while reducing fuel consumption by 40 per cent compared with existing designs and also reducing wash, emissions and risk of oil pollution. The key to the trimaran-like design is an immersed torpedo-shaped hull with secondary dynamic lift from a sophisticated wing foil system.

The newest Rodriquez fast ferry, The Princess, has been delivered Arab Bridge Maritime Company of Jordan in less than 12 months. Following the primary assembly and initial outfitting at the company’s Pietra Ligure shipyard, the ship was then launched and moved for final outfitting and commissioning to another Rodriquez yard, Intermarine, in La Spezia. The TMV 84, yard number 323, follows closely on the heels of another TMV 84, the “Ramon Llull” that was delivered only two months prior to Balearia. Main engines are the MTU 595 series instead of MAN B&W’s Paxman. All four waterjets are now steerable. The passenger capacity has grown from around 450 to 710. “The Princess” can carry 654 passengers in economy class, 48 in first class and there is a luxury VIP saloon for an additional 8 people.

While much of the attention in the fast ferry niche often falls on designs and construction from Down Under, Italy's Rodriquez Cantieri Navali has built and maintained a stable of some of the most impressive high speed vessels in the world. It's South American affiliate, Rodriquez Cantieri Navali do Brasil SpA, recently commenced construction of seven Catamarans CityCat 52 DE model and three catamarans CityCat 29 model for the home market. The Brazilian ferry project is a unique one for the 115-year-old company in that all of the ferries will be built in Brazil, resulting in Rodriquez Cantieri Navali setting up a company there. It has subcontracted out the business to three separate facilities: one to build the hulls…

While much of the accolades for advanced fast ferry construction is heaped on Australian companies, Italy's Rodriquez Cantiere Navali has not so quietly built an enviable stable of business and references. Most recently the company emerged as the winning yard to build a new high speed ferry for Navigazione Libera del Golfo (NLG) in Naples, Italy. 50 (yard number 306) in May 2003 for service from Naples to Capri. Passengers will be accommodated on three decks with bar service on the main and upper decks. The as yet un-named vessel will be fully HSC compliant and will be classed by RINA. As has become a hallmark of the fast ferries built by Rodriquez, the vessel will have an advanced ride control system consisting of four anti-roll fins (two per side) and transom mounted intruders.

While much of the attention in the fast ferry niche often falls on designs and construction from Down Under, Italy's Rodriquez Cantieri Navali has built and maintained a stable of some of the most impressive high-speed vessels in the world. It's South American affiliate, Rodriquez Cantieri Navali do Brasil SpA, recently commenced construction of seven Catamarans CityCat 52 DE model and three catamarans CityCat 29 model for the home market. The Brazilian ferry project is a unique one for the 115-year-old company in that all of the ferries will be built in Brazil, resulting in Rodriquez Cantieri Navali setting up a company there. It has subcontracted out the business to three separate facilities: one to build the hulls…

Despite a fall in the overall number of vessels forecast to be delivered from shipyards until 2007, the value of the propulsion systems installed in newbuilds is expected to show a rise from 2004, reaching nearly $5-billion by 2007 on the strength of increasing power requirements. A new business study entitled The World Marine Propulsion Report 2003-2007* predicts that newbuild deliveries measured by tonnage will grow by four-percent over the five years, against a fall in vessel numbers of 10-percent. However, the propulsive power embodied in the newbuild influx should increase by eight-percent compared with the 1997-2002 period. The market for main engines…