Three Flex Ferries for Singapore
A trio of 38-metre Flex Ferries, built by Singapore’s Penguin Shipyard International and designed by Southampton, UK-based BMT Nigel Gee, have been delivered to their new owner, Horizon Ferries, following successful sea trials in Singapore.
The BV-classed, Singapore-flagged monohull ferries – christened Horizon 7, Horizon 8 and Horizon 9 – are, according to the designers, among only a handful of fully compliant high-speed ‘2000 HSC Code’ monohull ferries to be designed and built in recent years. The vessels recently commenced operations between Singapore and the Indonesian island of Batam, a ferry route that is generally regarded as the most competitive in Southeast Asia.
The Flex Ferry is powered by three Caterpillar C32 diesel engines driving fixed pitch propellers, which together with the hydrodynamically efficient hull form, enabled the fully loaded vessel to hit speeds of 28 knots at 90% MCR.
The hull design in particular is the result of extensive R&D development by BMT Nigel Gee and has been extensively tank tested to minimise the vessel’s power demand.
Ed Dudson Technical Director of BMT Nigel Gee stated “The success of the Flex Ferry reinforces the strong ongoing relationship between BMT Nigel Gee and Penguin. These three vessels demonstrate that the partnership between the two companies can provide high quality vessels within an extremely short timescale.”
By Jake Frith
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