Rodriquez and RINA Develop Green High-Speed Ferry

Italian shipyard group Rodriquez Cantieri Navali and Genoa-based classification society RINA have jointly developed an innovative and environmentally friendly high-speed ferry. A full scale prototype of the Aliswath, presently under construction, will undertake sea trials in 2007. The Aliswath hybrid design combines the small wetted area of the SWATH concept with a hydrofoil system. The prototype is designed to carry 450 passengers and 60 cars at speeds up to 28 knots, while reducing fuel consumption by 40 per cent compared with existing designs and also reducing wash, emissions and risk of oil pollution. The key to the trimaran-like design is an immersed torpedo-shaped hull with secondary dynamic lift from a sophisticated wing foil system.

Aliswath is the result of a significant R&D project carried out co-operatively by the Rodriquez Group and RINA with the involvement of the University of Genoa and the Krylov Institute of St. Petersburg. The 64 m loa vessel is being built partly (the hull) at the Pietra Ligure yard and partly (the torpedo and wings) at the Messina yard. The aluminium hull will have an installed power of 6,080 KW, from two stern pods plus twin diesel main engines mounted in the underslung torpedo hull and driving a high efficiency propeller. That compares with 9,300 KW required for the existing Rodriquez vessels of the same capacity and speed, the TMV70 series, which are already in service. The stern pods systems, developed by Rodriquez Marine Systems, are equipped with innovative pulling propellers which provide extra power, high manoeuvrability and allow 11 kn speed in the case of main engine failure.

The prototype will be used to validate the tank test results and calibrate the wash reduction manual which will assist the master to keep wash to a minimum at the required speeds. Following trials Rodriquez expects to enter production during 2007. RINA S.p.A. is the operating company of Registro Italiano Navale, founded in Genoa in 1861, and is one of the oldest classification societies and one of the ten most important in the world. In its more than 140 year history, RINA has progressively diversified its activities, transferring its skills acquired and consolidated in the marine sector to other sectors, covering quality, environmental and product management system certification, social accountability certification, advanced services for industry, to offer strategic support to organisations which operate nationally and internationally. RINA has 90 offices in over 30 countries and employs around 900 people. Its has a classed fleet of over 19.5 million GT of merchant ships, plus approximately 950 recreational craft and over 300 special units (military ships, coast guard, police and fire fighting craft). It is known for its special expertise with passenger vessels and high-speed craft. Rodriquez Cantieri Navali, founded in 1887 as a small shiprepair yard is today a Group specialised in the construction of technologically advanced and innovative fast ships, spanning from 14 to 150 m and built in various materials. They have produced more than 300 ships delivered to more than 24 countries. Rodriquez Cantieri Navali has 4 yards in Italy and 1 in Brasil. Production facilities in Messina and Pietra Ligure are specialised in aluminium and steel vessels. Sarzana and Napoli are yards dedicated to composite materials while Rio de Janeiro is building ten aluminium catamarans. The in-house R&D centre, Rodriquez Engineering based in Genoa, and the company specialised in stabilisation and monitoring equipment, Rodriquez Marine Systems, complete the Group technical capabilities.