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Two Newbuilds for Hamburg's Busy HADAG Ferry Fleet
01 Apr 2006
Hamburg's HADAG Seetouristik und Fahrdienst has taken into service its eighth Type 2000 ferry and excursion boat, Ovelgonne, and is looking forward to taking delivery of a ninth in June.
Michael Freytag, Hamburg's Senator for City Development and Environment, said at the launch of the 29.94m newbuilding that ferries like Ovelgonne were more than just a means of transport in the Elbe city, which is Germany's biggest universal seaport. They were also typical landmarks as well as economical and safe, he added. The 2000 series is said to be the most modern purpose built ferry Janson Bridging B.V. currently on German waterways.
The city's HADAG ferry fleet carried 5.6 million passengers in 2005. That was 10.8% more than in 2004 and a giant 154% more than eight years ago, he reported.
The latest ferry has amenities and a comfort level usually only found on ocean going ships, such as an open deck, wide access ramps, toilets for the handicapped and a storage area for cycles.
Ovelgonne was built in 10 months at the city's Spezialschiffbau Oortkaten (SSB) Shipyard. Like her sister ships in the 2000 Class, it is even safer than regulations require, HADAG said, and equipped with two DSB mini-slide rescue raft systems. It also boasts DGPS and ELNA river radar.
The latest vessel is 8.15m wide with a side height of 2.6m and draws 1.7m. It is driven by twin Volvo Penta diesels, Type D-12-BMH of 331kW each and propelled by two contra-rotating Rolls-Royce propellers located under the stern, providing high manoeuvrability, additional safety and a speed of 12 knots. They reportedly reduce gas-oil fuel consumption by 10 to 15% compared to similar vessels.
Ovelgonne, which carries 250 passengers, also has two 77kW auxiliaries and boasts a Jastram 50 kW side thruster.
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