Commercial News - Tassie Cat For Africa

Incat Crowther has launched of a second 37m catamaran passenger ferry for Coastal Fast Ferries of Tanzania. 

Built by Richardson Devine Marine, Tasmania, the vessel is a repeat order from the operator, which Incat Crowther said validated both the design and build quality delivered in the sister ship Kilimanjaro

Like its predecessor, Kilimanjaro II has been specifically designed and engineered for operation in Africa. The ferry utilises previous experience in designing vessels for operators in remote areas with limited infrastructure.

The systems and structures have been simplified to create a vessel that is efficient to maintain and operate. Incat Crowther said Kilimanjaro has already proven that this philosophy leads to better reliability and increased profitability for the operator, results that clearly prompted the repeat order.

The high-capacity vessel will typically carry 400 passengers, and is engineered and certified to carry 500 passengers in peak scenarios. Attention has been paid to the loading and circulation of the large number of passengers. Simple hinged ramps are fitted to the ferry on both sides for passenger loading, while another pair of ramps is fitted aft for luggage loading. The aft deck has been arranged with four toilet spaces, luggage room and a staircase.

The main cabin has seating for 200 passengers with further seating for 128 in the ferry’s middeck cabin. In addition are exterior seats on the foredeck, aft mid-deck and upper deck.

With the wheelhouse located on the upper deck, the mid-deck has a full-length first class cabin offering 360-degree visibility.

The ferry features durable construction, including heavy hull plating and heavy-duty fendering, Incat Crowther said.

Powered by twin Cummins KTA38M2s, each producing 1200hp, the ferry is said to have a maximum speed of 28kts.

Coastal Fast Ferries will operate the Kilimanjaro II alongside its sister ship between Tanzania’s largest city, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar.

Specifications-
Incat Crowther 27m catamaran ferry

Material: Marine grade aluminium
Length overall: 36.8m
Beam: 9.5m
Draft: 3.4m
Fuel: 12,000lt (main tank)
Freshwater: 1500lt
Holding tank: 3200lt
Crew: 6
Passengers: 500
Max. deadweight: 56 tonnes
Max. speed: 28kts
Cruising speed: 24kts
Engines: 2 x Cummins KTA 38 M1
Rated HP: 1300hp at 1800rpm (each)
Gearbox (make): 2 x ZF 305D
Props: 2 x five blade
Generators: 2 x Cummins 170kVa 50Hz; 1 x Cummins 17kVa 50Hz
Class / Survey: USL / 1C
Flag: Tanzania