Incat Delivers Milenium Tres

Incat recently delivered a new 321-ft. (98 m) wave piercing catamaran to one of Spain’s largest shipping companies, Acciona Trasmediterránea. Milenium Tres is the sixth Incat high speed catamaran to join an Acciona Trasmediterránea fleet which already includes the 314-ft. (96 m) Milenium and the 321-ft. Milenium Dos, both of which have been operating on the Spanish mainland-Balearic Islands links since 2000 and 2003 respectively, and also the 96 metre Alborán on the Gibraltar Strait’s busy Algeciras – Ceuta crossing. In addition, this summer saw Incat’s K-class catamaran Incat K3 in operation on the new route from Alicante to Palma and Ibiza. Under the command of Captain Carlos Duclos the new vessel left Hobart on September 25 at the start of its 12,000 nautical miles delivery voyage to Spain. It is expected to arrive at Melilla and enter ervice from there to Almeria and Malaga.

With capacity for up to 900 people and 267 cars at speeds of approximately 40 knots, Milenium Tres is the twelfth vessel in Incat’s 96/98 metre range and brings to sixteen the number of Incat vessels operating in Southern European waters. Engines from MAN B&W’s new RK280 range have been selected for Milenium Tres. Four 16RK280 engines, each rated at a minimum 7200 kW @ 1000 rpm MCR, offer a high power to weight ratio. The latest combustion chamber technology with electronically controlled pump pipe injection system and optimised cylinder pressures, reduces fuel consumption to a most competitive level offering a low operating cost with a Specific Fuel Consumption of less than 190g/kWh. The engines each drive transom-mounted steerable Wärtsilä-Lips 120E water jets via 4 x ZF 53000 NRH gearboxes. All four waterjets are configured for steering and reversing, while an independent hydraulic system in each hull covers the steering and reverse functions. Manoeuvring and directional control is enhanced through the use of Retractable Trim Tabs that maximise moment force from water jet side/reverse thrust and optimization of force/moment positioning. Four Caterpillar 3406B 230 kW generators are fitted, each being rated with a 10% for one hour overload capacity. The generators are arranged for automatic startup and paralleling, the automation considering one unit maintained as a standby set.

The vessel features Maritime Dynamics/Incat Ride Control System, consisting of transom mounted trim tabs and a retractable T-foil. The Milenium Tres is equipped with four Liferaft Systems Australia Marine Evacuation Stations, two port and two starboard. Each MES serves a total of 200 persons. A total of ten 100-person rafts are fitted. Two SOLAS inflatable rescue boats, each with 30 hp motors, are provided for launch and recovery operations. Hobart-based company Colbeck & Gunton supply the lightweight structural fire protection system aboard Milenium Tres including fire doors and dampers. To protect all moderate and high risk spaces The ‘Rapid Access’ (deckhead) and ‘Lightweight’ (bulkhead) fire protection system meets all the demands for lighter weight and faster installation/removal for this type of craft. An addressable fire detection system, CCTV cameras, zoned fire sprinkler systems and hydrants protect engine rooms, vehicle decks and passenger areas.