First Of Two Sister Ferries Delivered By UNL
The new ferry "Las Palmas De Gran Canaria," delivered recently by the private yard Union Naval de Levante (UNL) to Cia Transmediterranea, is the first of a pair of sisterships placed on order at UNL as part of an ambitious fleet renewal program.
The 10,473-gt vessel has a capacity of 2,700 dwt. It contains two garages with 2,666 feet of truck lane about 10 feet wide, and a 14.75- foot clearance height, providing space for the equivalent of 50, 52- foot-long trucks. The limitations imposed by the short docking lines in several of the Canary Islands ports where this ferry will operate determined the ship's overall length of 383 feet, making it a ferry with one of the best truck lane/length ratios of those presently in operation, a fact which greatly enhances its profitability. Additionally, the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is designed to transport 300 passengers in business-class seats, another 78 passengers in cabins, and a crew of 39, all in ample, highly comfortable accommodation spaces which include a cafeteria and an outdoor bar. To expedite vehicle handling, the ship is fitted with an efficient access and stowage system — stern ramp door, fore ramp and sliding doors, hoistable ramp/decks in the interior — which reduce the time required for these operations to a minimum.
The excellent maneuverability (the ship can make a full turn in a space less than double her length) is assured by her propulsion/steering system (two high skew propellers and two independent servo-rudders that can be electronically connected) and a 1,000 hp variablepitch bow-thruster.
The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is propelled by means of a dual engine/shaft/variable-pitch propeller system which gives it a service speed of 16 knots.
The two main engines are 2,640 kW (3,690 hp) at 750 rpm MAN B&W 12V 28/32 A, built by the Spanish licenseeE.N. Bazan in their Cartagena factory.
The ship is also equipped with a high-efficiency fin stabilizer system by Brown Brothers. All the machinery aboard the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is engineered for automatic operation, in accordance with the demanding Bureau Veritas class notation AU PORT.
Selma ABB supplied the automation system.
With respect to communications and navigational aids, this is the second ship under the Spanish flag which leaves port in full compliance with the GMDSS requisites for navigation in zones Al, A2, A3 and occasionally A4 with duplicate equipment.
Construction of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria's sistership, "Santa Cruz de Tenerife," is well advanced, September, 1993 and delivery is planned for October. The manufacturers say the ferry complies with the strictest safety standards, both present and future, particularly with respect to stability and firefighting facilities
