Saudi Arabia welcomes 'Jazan' and 'Farasan'

With the capacity to carry 650 passengers, 50 cars and 15 trucks, the two aluminium catamarans are part of a group of four Austal vehicle-passenger ferries ordered by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Finance in 2007. The 88 metre "Riyadh" and "Cairo" were delivered to Saudi Arabia in December last year and later gifted to the Egyptian Government to improve ferry services across the Red Sea.

"Farasan" and "Jazan" will be operated by The Maritime Co. for Navigation from the port of Jazan in the south of Saudi Arabia along a 25 mile nautical route to Farasan Island.

The Farasan Island archipelago has become an increasingly popular holiday destination and diving location for locals, known for its spectacular coral reefs and abundance of underwater life.

Austal Regional Sales Manager - Middle East, Richard Regan, said the vessels would provide Saudi local residents and visitors to the islands with a valuable transportation service.

Mr Regan said:

"In terms of safety, performance and practicality, these vessels will deliver improved levels of maritime transport while providing an important service to one of the region's most spectacular natural tourist attractions."

"With 20 vessels now delivered to the Middle East region alone, Austal has demonstrated the importance of designing vessels that take into consideration the unique needs of both the client and the region. We are very proud that Austal is able to play a role in advancing maritime transport standards in the Middle East," he said.

As well as attracting a growing amount of local holiday seekers, the route from the Port of Jazan to Farasan Island is an important daily link for many Saudi's commuting to work and school.

As the island's main link to the mainland, the vessels' multi-purpose design features a vehicle deck carrying capacity typical of much larger platforms, with space for 15 seven-tonne trucks and maximum axle loads of up to 10 tonne. There is also space for 50 cars with trucks or 74 cars without trucks.

Austal has designed and installed both bow and stern vehicle ramps to ensure efficient vehicle transfer and reduced port turnaround times, meeting the client's need for "drive through" capability.

Suited to the short distance of the intended route, each vessel has a cost effective service speed of 32 knots, with power from four MTU 16V 4000 M73L diesel engines producing 2880kW each. Utilising advanced design technology, the vessel's hull forms have been optimised to ensure maximum fuel efficiency, which, along with the cost effective service speed, deliver fuel consumption of only 2.21 tonnes / hour (including generators).

The high passenger density expected on the service meant Austal's interior design team worked closely with the client to develop a highly practical seating arrangement for 650 passengers that maximises space and accessibility. All seating is situated on the upper deck, with seating density deliberately maintained at a passenger-friendly level of no more than three seats per row.

Facilities located on the passenger deck include a boutique gift store, food preparation and service area and a dedicated VIP lounge overlooking the bow.

In consideration of the cultural requirements of the route's predominantly Muslim clientele, the passenger deck features a dedicated seating area for families and children, as well as both men and women's prayer rooms and a children's play room.

Farasan Island's relatively small port means that vessel manoeuvrability was another important design consideration. Electric bow thrusters installed on each hull improve vessel manoeuvrability at slow speed in harbour, while passenger comfort is assured with the installation of Austal Ride Control, incorporating two interceptors and two forward T-foils.

A state-of-the-art bridge deck features the Austal-developed Marine Link ship control and monitoring system, allowing extensive monitoring of core onboard equipment as well as providing a comprehensive on-line system to manage all user manuals as well as ship drawings and documentation.

Austal Director - Global Sales and Marketing, Andrew Bellamy, said Austal's efficient production saw both "Jazan" and "Farasan" delivered ahead of schedule, with "Farasan" completed less than a year after keel laying.

"This ability to rapidly complete orders enables operators to introduce efficient, custom-designed vessels into their operations within short time frames, allowing them to respond to changing circumstances within their businesses quickly and effectively," Mr Bellamy said.

Both vessels recently made the 15-day delivery voyage from Western Australia to Jazan, via the Maldives and the Gulf of Aden, under their own power.

Completion of the four vessel fleet coincides with orders for two 100 metre-plus high speed vehicle ferries for Denmark and Malta, to be constructed at Austal's Western Australian shipyard.