New Ro-Pax Ferries Enter Operation in Abu Dhabi
Two new aluminum high-speed Ro-Pax ferries designed by Incat Crowther for the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi, have successfully completed sea trials and are now operating on the ~42-kilometer route between Dalma Island and Jebel Dhannah on the UAE mainland.
The new 56-meter vessels, Jazirat Dalma and Al Dhannah, built by Singapore based Penguin International Limited in Batam, Indonesia, can transport up to 192 passengers and 25 vehicles at speeds of up to 39 knots. Each vessel has an air-conditioned passenger deck which provides seating for 185 passengers, space for an additional seven wheelchair passengers and two viewing areas at the bow and stern.
With catamaran hulls and aluminum construction, Jazirat Dalma and Al Dhannah offer speed and stability, and have been designed with comfort and accessibility in mind. Each vessel features a VIP room for eight passengers, two cafés, five bathrooms, and a playroom for children. Ample luggage and cargo spaces have also been included throughout both the passenger and vehicle decks, which are connected via an onboard elevator.
Each vessel is powered by four MTU engines and propelled by Kamewa waterjets.
The vessels’ vehicle deck has been designed for operational efficiency and allows for quick roll-on and rolloff operations. The elevated wheelhouse provides each vessel’s captain with excellent lines of sight while the bridge deck also features a crew mess and bathrooms for the vessel’s ten crew.
