SeaBridge will build the high speed pentamaran ships for a network of routes which will carry trucks, cars and passengers between major metropolitan areas (initially on East Coast and Gulf Coast routes), thereby providing a cost effective option to reduce rapidly growing highway congestion in US coastal corridors.

SeaBridge will not compete for freight. Instead, it will provide an effective option for long haul trucking customers to complete journeys without exposing drivers to frustrating delays and related risks on the highways.

It will also provide an attractive alternative for millions of motorists who prefer to spend time at their destinations with their cars, having avoided the long and difficult drive.

SeaBridge promises to provide the capacity to move more freight and passengers faster, at lower total cost, and with much less environmental impact than any comparable infrastructure alternative.

SeaBridge, which holds an exclusive development agreement on the 300m LOA vessel, is using BMT's patented Pentamaran design because it enables a new generation of efficient, high speed operations. It is configured to carry trailers and/or cars and offers 2,900 lane metres of car and truck capacity (approximately 173 trailers or 75 trailers and 500 cars). Passenger capacity is flexible, with up to 1,800 passenger berths provided.

The vessel has a maximum service speed of 42 knots at 90% MCR and is configured for maximum flexibility. Accordingly, it has a diesel electric propulsion plant allowing for efficient vessel operation at lower ship speeds.

The preliminary design of the vessel is complete. SeaBridge and BMT have successfully conducted a detailed structural analysis using loads calculated from a 3D hydrodynamic software package verified by strain gauged model tests. The structural design has undergone preliminary design appraisal preview by DNV.

SeaBridge has elected VT Halter as the lead yard to build these vessels, which under US Jones Act rules must take place in America.

MJInformation No: 22214