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Power Wow for America's Biggest AliCats
01 Jul 2004
Construction started last month in Alabama on the largest aluminium ships ever to be built in the USA. The two 105m LOA catamaran ro-ro fast ferries will each be powered by four 20 cylinder MAN B&W RK280 diesel engines for a total installed capacity of 43,000bhp.
Austal Ltd's Mobile yard is building the vessels for Hawaii Superferry, a Honolulu based company on a mission to connect the people and commerce in the Hawaiian Islands economically and comfortably. The company is developing an efficient, environmentally friendly daily non-stop ro-ro service for passengers and vehicles between Honolulu and the islands of Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. Prices are expected to be approximately half the price of flying, with the service planned to start in 2006.
The RK280 engines will be built at MAN's Stockport UK plant and are scheduled for delivery next year. The requirement for low fuel consumption, reliability and high power output without sacrificing accessibility for routine maintenance were all factors considered during Hawaii Superferry's extensive evaluation process. The RK280 is the most powerful and efficient 1,000rpm engine the company has ever built and is designed to meet rigorous new EPA 2007 and IMO emission standards.
A blessing ceremony to mark the commencement of construction was held last month at Austal's American facility, presided over by the Hawaiian Kahu (priest), Kauwila Clark.
MJ Information No: 19642
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