AUSTRALIAN high-speed vessel specialists Incat Tasmania and South Korean coastal passenger transport company SeaWorld Express Ferry have announced an order for a new generation fast ferry.
The 76-metre wave piercing catamaran ferry is to accommodate up to 700 passengers and 79 cars when it enters service on the new route between Jindo and Jeju in early 2022.
SeaWorld Express Ferry chair Hyuk Young Lee said they were were most impressed with Incat Tasmania’s modern shipyard, the advanced passenger safety systems incorporated into the Incat design and the levels of on board passenger comfort.
“It is this world class expertise that led us to select Incat Tasmania for our new high speed service and it was an important aspect of our winning tender submission,” he said.
Incat Tasmania chair Robert Clifford AO said they were no strangers in Korea having delivered their first vessel to the region in 1995 (The Sunflower).
“With Incat Tasmania’s track record in delivering vessels with speed, efficiency, reliability and superior seakeeping, the client was moved to inspect Incat Tasmania-built 112 metre high speed ferry Natchan Rera trading in Taiwan in mid-2019,” Mr Clifford said.
“Impressed with how much more advanced this wave piercing catamaran was compared with other vessels operating in South Korean waters SeaWorld Express Ferry knew immediately that taking this Incat Tasmania design and production expertise and applying it to a customised bespoke vessel would represent a significant step change for South Korean high speed ferry operations.”
Incat Tasmania CEO Tim Burnell said with a significant improvement to both the waterline length and vessel trim compared with those of earlier craft, the 76 metre ferry would also benefit from vastly improved speed and fuel consumption.
“There is an increasing recognition among discerning operators like SeaWorld Express Ferry that Incat Tasmania is not only providing fantastic value for money but we are also delivering on the client vision for a high quality vessel that offers the finest passenger experience,” Mr Burnell said.
