A trio of 38-metre Flex Ferries, built by Singapore's Penguin Shipyard International and designed by Southampton-based BMT Nigel Gee, have recently been delivered to owner Horizon Ferries following successful sea trials in Singapore.
The BV-classed, Singapore-flagged monohull ferries were christened 'Horizon 7', 'Horizon 8' and 'Horizon 9', respectively. Fully compliant to 2000 HSC Code, the high-speed monohull ferries recently commenced operations between Singapore and the Indonesian island of Batam, a ferry route often regarded as one of the most competitive in Southeast Asia
The Flex Ferries measure 38.5 metres in length and 8.7 metres in breadth, with a capacity of 238 passengers, including an airy main deck seating for 208 passengers and a plush upper deck VIP saloon for 30 passengers.
The design also features a spacious wheelhouse with excellent all-round visibility and a dedicated crew rest area with comfortable amenities, as well as ample space for luggage stowage on both levels.
Each vessel within the Flex Ferry series is powered by three Caterpillar C32 diesel engines driving fixed-pitch propellers, which together with the hydrodynamically efficient hull form enable a fully loaded vessel to hit speeds of 28 knots at 90 per cent MCR.
According to BMT Nigel Gee, the hull design is the result of extensive R&D development and has been extensively tank-tested to minimise the vessel's power demand. The result is a very low resistance hull that offers competitive fuel efficiency.
Following delivery of the three vessels, Horizon has also ordered a fourth Flex Ferry to be delivered in the second half of 2015.
