The boat most recently operated as Pescara Jet for Italian operator SNAV in the Adriatic. It is 86.62m long, 26m wide and draws 3.62m.

The 5,007gt vessel is driven by four Ruston 20RK270 engines with a total output of 38,500hp, which provide an impressive maximum service speed of 42 knots.

FRS board member Goetz Becker said traffic volumes had increased significantly on the routes since the German company inaugurated its first service between continental Europe and Morocco in 2000.

The introduction of the stern-ramped HSC Tarifa Jet means FRS now has three modern car carrying catamarans.

The new addition joins HSC Tanger Jet, which carries 580 passengers and 55 cars, and the chartered InCat 78 catamaran HSC Thundercat 1, which has a capacity of 600 passengers and 125 cars.

FRS said Tarifa Jet was already well suited for its North Africa service when acquired.

Nonetheless, some minor alternations were carried out 'to tailor her to the conditions in her prospective ports of call'.

Among other things, the stern ramp was extended to 15m and a new access door for passengers was fitted on the passenger deck, Goetz Becker said.

The latest catamaran had introduced a new standard in comfortable traffic across Gibraltar Strait, Flensburg based FRS told MJ, turning the 35 minute crossing between Europe and North Africa into a convenient, relaxing voyage.

Modern technical equipment and thorough crew training ensure maximum onboard safety, the owners added.