Hobart, Tasmania: The launch of Australian Incat yard’s 112-metre wave piercing catamaran earlier this week set new milestones for High Speed Light Craft shipping.

The vessel, named the Natchan Rera, is the world’s largest diesel-powered HSLC, and the largest HSLC ever to be built in Australia. Mainly this was an event to be celebrated by the yard, Incat, and the vessel’s owner, Higashinihon Ferry of Japan.

“But DNV is proud too,” states Ragnar Hansen, regional manager South East Asia & Australia DNV Maritime. “Incat is a yard that is recognised as being at the forefront when it comes to cutting edge technology and design. DNV is a proactive class society that over years have made great efforts to develop the high speed light craft segment. Together, Incat and DNV have been strongly involved in making this a safe and convenient way of transport.”

The Natchan Rera is the 38th car ferry to be built by Incat. All of them have been built to DNV class. More than 60 per cent of all HSLC newbuildings have for the past 30 years been classed by DNV. This segment, like most of the shipbuilding industry, is booming at the moment. Since 1 January 2006, DNV has received 65 class requests for light crafts and high speed light crafts.

When completed later this month, the 112-metre-long vehicle-passenger ferry will sail at loaded speeds of approximately 40 knots. It will have the capacity to carry 335 cars and 800 people in luxurious style and comfort.

The Natchan Rera will operate between the Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. The travelling time will be approximately half that currently taken. To meet the customers’ requirements as to speed and comfort and comply with the IMO (SOLAS) requirement of a safe and habitable return to port, the ship has four independent engine rooms, each with a 9000 kW diesel engine at 1000 rpm.

“We know that question marks can be raised when it comes to environmental issues. The fact that these vessels are built to be as light as possible, consume clean diesel fuel and then burn less kilo fuel per cargo tonne per hour than any other high speed catamaran makes the Natchan Rera a vessel which is prepared for the future,” says Karl Morten Wiklund, DNV’s Director for Passenger Ships.