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.
