Maximum Car Capacity News

Australian shipbuilder Austal Ships will design and build the world’s most powerful diesel-powered catamaran for Canadian American Transportation Systems (CATS). The contract represents a major milestone for the Austal Group in the North American market. With a speed of 42 knots, the 86 metre vehicle-passenger ferry will be the first of its type on the Great Lakes. It will operate on Lake Ontario between the cities of Rochester in New York State, USA and Toronto in Canada, with a voyage time of two hours and 15 minutes. Austal’s Managing Director, Mr Bob McKinnon, said the contract is a vital step forward in maintaining Austal’s share of the fast ferry market.

“Ramon Llull” (yard number 311), an 84 meter all aluminium fast ferry being built for Balearia Eurolinies Maritimes, was launched today at Rodriquez’s yard in Pietra Ligure, Italy. “Ramon Llull”, named after the thirteenth century Spanish philosopher, has a capacity for 462 passengers divided into 106 for first class, located on the upper deck, and 356 for economy class, located on the main deck. The car deck continues with the innovative arrangement found on the larger Rodriquez TMV 115 in that the central ramps can be raised to accommodate tall vehicles such as buses or trucks. With the decks lowered, the maximum car capacity is 58 cars but with the decks raised, there are 110 lane meters available for these tall vehicles yet still additional space for 22 cars.