VESSEL REVIEW | SNAV Sirius – New fast ferry to serve Italy's Gulf Islands

Italian shipbuilder Intermarine has delivered a new fast ferry to Società Navigazione Alta Velocità (SNAV), a Naples-based vessel operating company under the MSC Group.

Measuring 58 by 12 metres (190 by 39 feet) and with a draught of only 1.6 metres (5.2 feet), SNAV Sirius will be operated primarily in the Gulf of Naples, transporting passengers between the Italian mainland and the outlying islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida. It is similar in size to SNAV Orion, an earlier vessel in the SNAV fleet that was recently upgraded to allow for continued operation to and from the Gulf Islands.

Lightweight construction for smoother transits

Aluminium was used in the ferry's construction to keep the displacement as low as possible. The design emphasises comfort during fast transits under a broad range of weather conditions.

Spaces are also available for use by passengers with reduced mobility, though the vessel itself can transport up to 660 passengers. The air-conditioned passenger cabin also features a bar and TV screens.

The vessel's propulsion system consists of four engines and three IMO Tier III-compliant generators with electronic combustion control and selective catalytic reduction. The engines and the generators are designed to also operate on biofuel, which Intermarine claims can help reduce the vessel's CO2 emissions by as much as 90 per cent.

Hybrid-ready design for significantly reduced emissions

The ferry also has shore charging capability. This allows it to connect to the local grid to ensure continuous electrical power supply when berthed without having to rely on the onboard generators.

SNAV Sirius' propulsion system can be modified in the future into a hybrid arrangement that will enable zero-emission operation when sailing in and out of ports.