28 June 2003
RODRIQUEZ CANTIERI
NAVALI LAUNCHES THE AQUASTRADA TMV 84 “THE PRINCESS”
The
official launch ceremony held this morning at 09.30 a.m. at Rodriquez‘s
Pietra Ligure shipyard, and attended to by the Ministers of Transportation
from Jordan, H.E. Mr. Nader Dahabi, has taken place after only
nine months from the start of construction and sets a new standard
for the Italian shipyard.
The TMV 84, hull number 323 named “The
Princess”, is a high tech fast ferry and part of Rodriquez’s
Aquastrada series. She was ordered from by the Arab Bridge Maritime
Company of Jordan (www.arabbridge.com.jo) in July 2002 after strong
international competition from the world’s leading ship
builders. She will operate on the route from Aqaba, Jordan to
Nuweiba, Egypt.
After the launch, the ship will be transferred to the Intermarine
yard in La Spezia (recently acquired by Rodriquez) for final outfitting,
sea-trials, etc. for delivery in July. The remarkably fast delivery
time of less than one year is a new standard the fast ferry market
and is a reflection of the efficiency and production capabilities
of Rodriquez Cantieri Navali.
The TMV 84 is an 84 meter, 35 knot, all aluminium monohull with
a capacity for 710 passengers divided between economy class, first
class and a special VIP salon. It can also carry 58 cars or a
mix between 10 buses (each 12 meters long) and 18 cars. Loading
of both passengers and vehicles will be via the stern ramps with
two being dedicated for the passengers and the third being for
vehicles only. Propulsion is from four MTU 16V595TE70L diesel
engines each rated for 3925 kW. Each engine is connected through
a dedicated gearbox to a Lips reversible and steerable waterjet
to allow for full operational redundancy. The ship is also equipped
with a ride control system as well as engine monitoring / alarm
/ control systems from the yard’s subsidiary company, Rodriquez
Marine Systems.
The diversification strategy underway at Rodriquez Cantieri Navali
and highlighted with the recent acquisition of the important military
composite builder Intermarine along with the continuous research
and development investments gives Rodriquez Cantieri Navali the
ability to effectively compete in a wide range of diverse markets.
As
an example of this, Rodriquez currently has under construction
4 fast ferries as well as 7 medium speed ferries. Combined with
their military and yacht production, Rodriquez’s total order
book stands at an impressive 38 vessels with a total value in
excess of almost euro 250 million. This diversity spans the range
from 16 meter / 70 knot fast patrol boats built out of Kevlar
to an all steel 73 meter luxury yacht to a series of 7 double
ended, 52 meter catamaran ferries.
Rodriquez Cantieri Navali is privately held company with four
shareholding groups of which General Electric (GE) Equity is one
of the equal partners. The company is a multi-faceted shipyard
who specialises in fast ferries, military and para-military patrol
vessels, and yachts. Based in Messina, Sicily, Rodriquez has production
facilities in:
Messina – For vessels of up to 70 m
Pietra Ligure (Savona) – For vessels up to 150 m. This is
also the facility where the aluminium or steel yachts are produced.
Sarzana (La Spezia) – The recently purchased Intermarine
shipyard, this facility produces composite yachts and military
vessels.
Naples – This facility produces fibreglass pleasure boats
from 46 to 75 feet under the Conam brand name.
Rio de Janeiro – Rodriquez do Brasil is building a series
of ten catamarans for Barcas SA in Rio.
The current order book (excluding Conam) is for 40 ships representing
approximately euro 250 million and for deliveries through 2005:
1 x TMV 84 for Arab Bridge Maritime Co. (Jordan)
7 x 52 meter catamarans for Barcas S.A. (Brasil)
3 x 29 meter catamarans for Barcas S.A. (Brasil)
6 x Foilmaster type Hydrofoil for Tirrenia (Italy)
1 x Foilmaster type Hydrofoil for Ustica Lines (Italy)
5 x CP 25 patrol boats for the Guardia Costiera (Italy), part
of a series for 28 boats
3 x MV 35 patrol boats for the Guardia di Finanza (Italy)
10 x MV 27 patrol boats for the Guardia di Finanza (Italy)
1 x 38 meter yacht
1 x 73 meter yacht
2 x 36 meter composite “Wally 118” yacht for Wally
Power
