French Polynesian fast ferry to have MAN propulsion
Graphical rendering of the new catamaran ferry (Source: Austal Ltd.)
A high-speed catamaran passenger ferry, Apetahi Express, under construction at Austal’s shipyard in Vietnam for Tahitian shipping company, Degage Group, is to have four MAN 16V175D-MM engines. They will provide 2,720 kW of power at 1,800 rpm for water jet propulsion.
The 66m-long Apetahi Express, with capacity for 574 passengers, is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2023 and will operate between Papeete in Tahiti and Vaitape in Bora Bora. The ferry will have a top speed of almost 36 knots and a range of 360 nautical miles. MAN Primeserv’s after-sales service was a decisive factor in the Degage Group’s choice of machinery.
Company president, Tuanua Degage, said: “These will be the first MAN engines in our fleet. We are very much looking forward to working with MAN Energy Solutions, and in particular the MAN PrimeServ New Zealand team, to ensure the highest levels of engine reliability and economy on this very demanding route.”
MAN PrimeServ has a service base in Auckland from where it already provides support for 175D engines operated by the New Zealand Navy. The same hub will be used to support the new ferry.
