AUSTRALIAN shipbuilder Incat has scored a contract to build the largest aluminium ship on the planet.
Incat Tasmania is to build the 130metre ship for Buquebus to operate between Argentina and Uruguay. The vessel is to be the largest aluminium ferry built and the ninth vessel for Incat’s South American customer.
The 130-metre ferry is to join the other Incat ships already serving various ports on the River Plate (Rio Plato) between Argentina and Uruguay.
It is expected to weigh in at around 13,000 gross registered tonnes, to be 32metres in beam and have capacity for 2100 passengers and 220 cars.
According to Incat, work is underway on design and engineering.
Construction is to start as soon as the detail design drawings are completed and approved.
The new Buquebus ship is predicted to have a maximum speed of more than 40 knots.
The 130-metre ship is to be powered by four dual fuel engines that will burn LNG while in service.
Incat shipyard has confirmed orders covering the next four years with high expectations of other large vessel orders. The workforce now totals more than 600 with more expected to be hired.
