Indonesian state-owned operator Pelni has selected Italy's NAOS Ship and Boat Design to develop a new series of combined passenger and cargo ships, with three newbuildings initially planned.
NAOS said that the ships will each have an LOA of 120 metres and capacity for 1,000 passengers and 70 TEUs. They are also being designed to use wind-assisted propulsion.
The three ships will replace the 1985-built vessels Umsini and Kelimutu and the 1986-built Lawit, built in 1986. Pelni intends a wider programme to replace its current fleet of large passenger-cargo ships over time.
Pelni said in June that design work was expected to take around 17 months before construction begins. A single design, covering both the ship construction and the interiors, will be used for all three vessels.
The operator has set a target of 2029 for the first ship to enter service.
The shipyard has not been chosen. Pelni corporate secretary Ditto Pappilanda said in July that builder selection was still being discussed with the Indonesian Government, which has encouraged the involvement of domestic shipyards.
Between 1983 and 2008, Pelni took delivery of 24 large passenger-cargo ships from Germany's Meyer Werft, divided among three classes with capacities of 1,000 to 3,000 passengers.
Pelni and Meyer Werft signed a memorandum of understanding for a new passenger ferry in 2016, but it did not lead to a firm shipbuilding contract.
