Tassie boatbuilders hand over new ferry

TASMANIAN boatbuilders Incat Crowther and Richardson Devine Marine have delivered a new passenger ferry after sea trials in Hobart.

Fifty-three-metre Kilimanjaro VIII is the 11^th vessel Incat Crowther has designed for Tanzania’s Azam Marine, and the eighth vessel built by RDM.

Incat Crowther and RDM have handed the ferry over to Azam Marine. It is now en route to Tanzania, where it will enter service shortly after delivery.

Incat Crowther said the vessel is larger than its predecessor Kilimanjaro VII and can transport up to 620 passengers at speeds above 30 knots.

Incat Crowther CEO Brett Crowther said we was pleased to see the ferry perform well on the trials and be lifted onto the ship for delivery.

“This project represents another milestone in our long and successful collaboration with Azam Marine and Richardson Devine Marine and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Azam to evolve and expand their fleet,” Mr Crowther said.

“The delivery of Kilimanjaro VIII in Tanzania will re-affirm Azam Marine’s position as the country’s leading passenger ferry service.”

Incat Crowther designed the vessel to load passengers and cargo in segregated flows to increase operational efficiency and safety.

Kilimanjaro VIII can house up to 10 tonnes of luggage and cargo.