Global waterjet manufacturer HamiltonJet has recently won an order for the first fast ferry project for Taiwan with four HM521 waterjets. Selected for Strategic Marine’s latest project, the 40m Catamaran Fast Ferry will be operated by Hi-Ann Ferry, between Penghu Island and Putai, on mainland Taiwan.
This is also the first project working with HamiltonJets newly appointed distributors in Taiwan, HJ System Corp. When completed at the end of 2017 this vessel capable of carrying 393 passengers and crew, will have three control stations, each utilizing HamiltonJet’s MECS control system.
The main control station consists of a dual throttle and reverse levers, and two steering devices with the port and starboard bridge stations each featuring a manoeuvring joystick.
With four 1080kW MTU engines each turning 520mm diameter waterjets expected top speed is 37 knots with an efficient service speed of 33 knots at full load and 85% MCR. This speed performance and manoeuvrability will make the vessels total operational time more efficient than other types of propulsion with minimal time manoeuvring during loading operations.
The vessel is under construction at the Strategic Marine shipyard in Vietnam, with the design by One2Three Design. The final product incorporates key experience and strengths by each of the parties involved.
