Hybrid Ferry: Balearia's 125 Dual-Fuel RoPax Fast Catamaran

Balearia announced construction of the world’s first fast ferry for passenger and cargo powered by dual-fuel LNG engines. 

The Incat Crowther 125 design is a new class of ferry, being the first to use dual-fuel reciprocating engines and will also be one of the largest fast catamarans in service when it is delivered in 2020.

The new design will be constructed by Spanish builder Astilleros Armon at their Gijon shipyard. The partnership of Astilleros Armon and Incat Crowther have together developed a high level of technical capability and capacity to deliver large aluminium catamarans. This offering has provided the customer the ability to build locally in Spain with confidence in the level of capability available to deliver this new class of vessel.

Passenger spaces developed by Oliver Design of Spain are divided into dedicated zones and offer facilities such as multiple bars, a market and food court, kindergarten and outdoor terrace. There will also be kennels for passengers traveling with dogs.

Stability of ship is a critical factor on any passenger vessel, and motions will be reduced with the latest iteration of Incat Crowther’s hull form, coupled with an operation-specific center bow design. A retractable center T-foil will also be used to smooth the ride, while an isolated superstructure reduces the transmission of noise and vibration to the passenger spaces.

The vessel has capacity for 500 cars and 1200 passengers. The main vehicle deck has a clearance of 4.85m, affording 500 lane meters of truck capacity.

The Incat Crowther 125 Dual-Fuel Ro-Pax is powered by a quartet of Wartsila 16V31DF main engines. Each of these engines produces 8800kW and drives a Wartsila LJX 1500 waterjet. Fueled by LNG, one of the cleanest fossil fuels available this vessel will offer a clean and green solution for Fast Passenger and Vehicle transport.

Specifications - Incat Crowther 125 Dual-Fuel Ro Pax
Principal Dimensions
Length Overall 404’ 7” / 123.3m
Length Waterline 389’ 10” / 118.8m
Beam Overall 91’ 11” / 28.0m
Draft (hull) 10’ 10” / 3.3m
Depth 25’ 8” / 7.8m
Construction Marine grade aluminium

Capacities
Fuel Oil Main 78 723 gallons / 298 000 litres
Fuel Oil Day 793 gallons / 3 000 litres
LNG 6 710 cu ft / 190m3
Sullage 1717 gallons / 6 500 litres
Passengers 1 200
Crew 11
Vehicles (all cars) 500 cars
Vehicles (trucks + cars) 500 lane metres trucks + 250 cars

Propulsion and Performance
Speed (Service) 35 knots
Speed (Max) 40 knots
Main Engines 4 x Wartsila 16V31DF
Power 4 x 8800kW @ 765rpm
Propulsion 4 x Wartsila LJX 1500 waterjets
Generators 2 x 210ekW (diesel) + 2 x 236ekW (LNG)

Regulatory
Flag Cyprus
Class / Survey BV I+ HULL +MACH, HSC Cat B /Ro-Ro
                        Passenger Ship, Sea Area 4,
                       +AUT-UMS DUALFUEL