Two Firsts at Incat – First Ship Under Construction in New Wilson’s Complex & Keel is Laid on Incat’s First 112 Metre Giant

TWO FIRSTS AT INCAT – First ship under construcation in new Wilson’s Complex & keel is laid on Incat’s first 112 metre giant

Pushing the boundaries of high speed ship building has always been the tireless drive of Tasmanian aluminium ship specialist Incat, as clearly seen when one looks back at the impressive list of vehicle-passenger vessels completed by the company since 1990. It should come as no surprise therefore to learn that a new 112 metre Wave Piercing Catamaran is not only pushing the boundaries of vessel size for Incat, but also extending the boundaries of the shipbuilder’s undercover construction facilities.

Designed to accommodate the new 112 metre catamarans and even larger vessels of 120 metres and beyond is Wilson’s building hall. Named after the renowned Tasmanian shipbuilding family, the deeper and wider drydock is parallel to the equally impressive Coverdale’s building hall and takes the total undercover facility at Incat to over 50,000 m©˜.

Although the new Wilson’s shed was actually partially commissioned in August 2001 when Incat 050 was positioned in the completed drydock, for conversion to HSV-X1 Joint Venture for the US Military, it is not until now that the first keel has been laid in the cavernous building.

The building of the Wilson’s complex has been a slow process admits Incat Chairman Mr Robert Clifford, but the well documented reasons behind those delays are now past.

“With the laying of the keel of the first of our 112 metre ships, Hull 064, in this building Wilson’s is now considered complete. The jigs, cranes and other equipment required to build large craft, even larger than the 112 metre vessel, are being progressively installed in what will be the largest and most modern aluminium shipbuilding facility in the world,” Robert Clifford said.

Prefabrication work on the 112 metre catamaran has been in progress for some months and the laying of the first section of hull in the new building hall signals the countdown towards vessel completion in late-2006.

The 112 metre catamaran complements Incat’s highly successful 98 metre vessel by offering customers a choice of solutions to meet their needs.

“It had become apparent to Incat and others in the ferry industry that despite the impressive capacity and versatility of the 98 metre ship, particularly on the vehicle deck, it was still not large enough for some high volume ferry services, particularly those in Europe. As far back as 1998 Incat conceived that a larger vessel was required to fill this market niche for even larger high speed ferries,” Robert Clifford said.

At the time the design brief specified the following criteria:

• A 40 knot service speed

• A deadweight capacity of 1000-1500 tonnes

• Cost minimisation in terms of both capital and operating costs

• The paramount importance of in service reliability

• The avoidance of “exotic” technology and the minimisation of technical risk

After two years research the 112 metre Wave Piercing Catamaran design, with a waterline length of 106 metres, emerged as a ship capable of meeting or exceeding all design brief goals. Today, six years after commencing its research, Incat is in a position to contract and deliver the 112 metre Wave Piercing Catamaran.

“As the keel of the first 112 metre vessel is laid, it is done against a background of eleven 96/98 metre Wave Piercing Catamarans in commercial and military service around the world, making the 96/98 metre design one of the most popular high speed ship types in modern times” Robert Clifford said.

“The Incat 112 metre draws on the principles, technology and in service experience of the Incat 98 metre yet it is also enhanced to provide significant competitive advantages to operators who need greater capacity, particularly in respect to achieving much higher levels of profitability,” he says.

The Incat 112 metre vessel offers:

• Dual speed operation (either 23 knots or 40 knots service speed)

• Up to a 53.9% reduction in fuel costs per deadweight tonne per mile

• A fuel cost of US$41.58per nautical mile @ 1000 tonnes deadweight burning MGO

• A 22-49% increase in transport efficiency

• 33% increase in the number of available passenger seats

• 55% increase in the available heavy truck lane metres (can include coaches)

• 33% increase in normal operating deadweight to 1000 tonnes

• 100% increase in available “operational” deadweight to 1500 tonnes

• 20% greater operations window plus R0 certification

• 20% greater station keeping and manoeuvring ability

• 25% reduction in motions and motion sickness index

• 30% increase in deck area

• 50% increase in axle loads on vehicle deck

• Extensive retailing/catering/entertainment opportunities that will boost revenue

“The 20 or more years of experience we have amassed allows us to incorporate all the lessons learnt in the most efficient and cost effective manner. There is no doubt this will be reflected in the bottom line of contracted vessels,” Robert Clifford said.

Specifications

Builder Incat Tasmania Pty Ltd

Length Overall 112.60 m

Length Waterline 105.60 m

Beam Overall 30.30 m

Draught (max) 3.30 m

Hull Beam 5.80 m

Deadweight (operational) 1000 tonnes (1500 tonnes ‘cargo only’ at 23 knots service speed)

Speeds (100%mcr) Approximately 40 knots @ 1000 tonnes deadweight

Approximately 45 knots @ 500 tonnes deadweight

Total Persons up to 1400 people

Vehicle Deck Capacity 589.9 truck lane metres plus 50 cars, or a total of 412 cars.

Main Engines 4 x MAN B&W 20RK280 diesels each of 9000 kW minimum

Gearboxes 4 x ZF NRH 60000

Water Jets 4 x Lips 150E

INCAT
INCAT