Incat’s LNG ferry for Buquebus just named Francisco reaches outstanding high speed

The vessel’s high speed can be attributed to the combination of Incat wave piercing catamaran design, the use of lightweight, strong marine grade aluminum, and the power produced by the two 22MW GE LM2500 gas turbines driving Wartsila LJX 1720 SR waterjets. The extensive and luxurious interior made significant increases to the weight of the interior fit-out, however the Incat team worked diligently to maximize weight savings during construction wherever possible.

Francisco has been constructed for South American company Buquebus, for service on Río de la Plata route, between Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Montevideo (Uruguay). It will be the largest catamaran they have operated, the world’s first dual fuel high speed ferry to operate on LNG as its primary fuel, and the fastest, environmentally cleanest, most efficient, high speed ferry in the world, Incat has announced.

Incat is still not claiming 58.1 as the end point of lightship trials as there was a full load of LNG on board (two 40 cubic meter tanks) in addition to about 35 tones of marine distillate, with Incat Chairman Robert Clifford, saying “When we have less fuel on board, and delivery spares removed, we will see that speed go higher still in the shallow waters of the Río de la Plata. We are delighted with the efficiency of the design and sure that our customer, Buquebus, will be pleased with the results, enabling the ferry to compete with airline traffic on the Río de la Plata route.”

Buquebus Chairman Juan Carlos Lopez Mena recently announced that the vessel would be named Francisco, in honor of the Argentinean born Pope Francis. “Godmother” to the ship will be the President of Argentina, Christina Fernandez de Kirchner, who will christen Francisco following the ship’s arrival in Argentina.

Source: Incat.