Wight Shipyard Co has achieved a UK first by building four ferries simultaneously at its yard in Cowes, for Maltese tour operator Captain Morgan Holdings Ltd.
The order consists of two 20m and two 33m light weight ferries, designed by One2Three Naval Architects.
UK shipbuilder Wight Shipyard Co has completed its third and largest vessel for MBNA Thames Clippers, the first Hunt Class Mk3. The 38m VENUS CLIPPEr has been built to a ten-month build schedule and is reflective of the increased business the yard has previously predicted in the fast ferry sector.
MBNA Thames Clippers had some very particular requirements for its latest newbuild.
Importantly, the new Clipper had to be able to transport of passengers between numerous floating piers at a speed not less than 25 knots at full load draft. The vessel’s catamaran hullform uses twin symmetric hulls and has been designed by Australia’s One2three Naval Architects. Its hull structure is designed for frequent and repeated berthing at London’s floating piers with particular attention paid to potential contact with obstructions in the water and harsh weather conditions.
VENUS CLIPPER is classed by Class Lloyds Register / DNVGL and obtains the notation DNVGL +1A1 HSLC Passenger R4 HSC (A) EO meeting the delegated survey requirements for capacity and seating for a minimum of 220 passengers, with space for two wheelchairs.
Wight Shipyard Co delivered its first multi-million pound export order for a 250-passenger river catamaran to operate for Central Danube Region Marketing & Development GmbH’s Twin City Liner – a tourist service running on the River Danube between Vienna and Bratislava, joining two European capital cities.
The 39m vessel is excellent news for the Isle of Wight shipyard and follows an exceedingly productive 2018. With other successful deliveries to Red Funnel for a second 41m high speed passenger ferry, followed swiftly after with Scotland’s Jacobite Cruises 21m day cruise catamaran for Loch Ness.
Export orders continue to advance Wight Shipyard Co’s reputation as a fast ferry builder with a multiple vessel contract from Mexico’s largest ferry operator.
Until now Ultramar has built all its high speed ferries in the United States and the order for two 37m ferries, is more positive news for the Isle of Wight shipyard following a highly successful 2017.
