Russian naval architecture firm the Sea Tech Group has completed the adjustment of the technical solutions implemented on the company's Project HSC150B series of catamaran ferries equipped with hydrofoils.
The modifications were incorporated to improve the ferries' efficiency and onboard comfort. Among these changes are a more economical propulsion system to help reduce operating costs; enhanced onboard spaces to permit the unobstructed movement of passengers including those with limited mobility; and improved luggage storage.
The Project HSC150B ferries will now also be able to accommodate a range of interior layout configurations, thus allowing each vessel to transport as many as 180 passengers whereas the baseline vessels were limited to carrying only 148 passengers each.
In standard configuration, each Project HSC150B vessel can reach speeds of up to 35 knots and sail over 1,000 kilometres. Two wave-piercing hulls help ensure a more level attitude even during fast transits.
The two hydrofoils located under the keel carry about 70 to 80 per cent of the vessel's weight, enabling a significant portion of the hull to be lifted out of the water. Only a small portion of the hull remains in contact with the water so that conventional propulsion can be used.
The design also enables the ferry to operate at shallower depths compared to traditional vessels fitted with stationary hydrofoils.
Power for the ferry is provided by two diesel engines driving fixed-pitch propellers. The engines can be converted in the future to enable hybrid operation as well as operation on lower-emission fuels such as methanol and LNG.
The design allows the ferry to consume 40 per cent less fuel and carry an eight per cent greater payload while travelling at the same speed.