Innovative fast ferry design
With their innovative technology Fast ferries are giving way to a new expansion in the marine transportation market. The world market for new Fast ferries is growing rapidly, especially in Australia, the USA and the Far East. In fact, the number of fast ferries has doubled in the past five years. Given this rate, factors such as higher speeds and load capacity along with lower weight and lowering cost are the driving forces of the Fast Ferry market. Therefore, the NORMA project has developed the technology and tools needed to meet the design requirements while also improving passenger comfort and decreasing noise and vibration levels. These major improvements in performance include several benefits such as drag reduction, reduced fuel consumption, increased range, reduced transit times and new hull designs to reduce wakes. A new concept design, the Mistral SES has been developed with these performance requirements in mind. Additionally it has a trimaran hull with rubber skirts between inner and outer hulls in order to enclose air cushions. The air cushions in the outer hulls are generated by lift fans. The Mistral can achieve a speed of 60 knots and also hold as many as 1200 passengers and 250 automobiles. Once the design approval of this new concept is ensured, a safer and more economical fast ferry should be one step closer to realization.
