Russian owner's newest hydrofoil ferry to be operated in Azov-Black Sea Basin

Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation, via its Vympel Shipyard division, has handed over a new hydrofoil ferry to local shipowner Mashpromlizing.

Named after a city on Crimea's Black Sea coast, Feodosia is the latest example of the Project 23160 series of hydrofoil ferries, which are each crewed by five people and are capable of transporting up to 120 passengers at speeds of over 32 knots.

The vessel will be operated in the Azov-Black Sea Basin by Sea High-Speed Passenger Transportation on behalf of Mashpromlizing.

The passengers are housed in an air-conditioned cabin with business class and economy seating areas while a pitch control system keeps the ferry's attitude as level as possible for more comfortable sailing.

As with other Project 23160 hydrofoil ferries, Feodosia will provide an inter-city commuter service via coastal routes.

The ferry was designed to operate in wave heights of up to 2.5 metres and Beaufort force five winds while in hullborne configuration. When sailing at higher speeds in foilborne configuration, it can operate in two-metre wave heights and Beaufort force four winds.

The vessel can still sail even as outside air temperatures drop to five degrees Celsius, making it suitable for some of Russia's more remote northern regions.

Design work on Feodosia was undertaken by Alexeev's Hydrofoil Design Bureau in compliance with Russian Maritime Register of Shipping class rules covering navigation in both open sea and inland waterways.