BMT Nigel Gee (BMT), a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, today announced its latest contract with Singapore-based Penguin Shipyard International Pte Ltd, for the design of three 38-metre monohull high-speed passenger ferries for the busy Singapore-Indonesia ferry route.

The shipbuilding subsidiary of Singapore-listed crewboat specialist Penguin International Limited recently signed a contract with Horizon Ferries Pte Ltd to build the three 238-passenger ferries, which will be deployed to run between Singapore and the Indonesian island of Batam. The first ferry is scheduled for delivery in the last quarter of 2014.

The collaborative approach leading up to the contract award is similar to that of an earlier project undertaken by Penguin Shipyard and BMT for a pair of 70-passenger, 30-knot Fast Crew Boats, which are scheduled for delivery later this year.

For the ferry project, BMT worked hand-in-hand with Penguin Shipyard’s in-house design, project and commercial teams throughout the bidding process to optimise the design to meet the client’s exacting requirements for the specific route and target cost.

The result is a highly economical design that will enable the fleet of vessels to provide a swift, safe and frequent service on the Singapore-Batam route. The design features main deck seating for 208 passengers and their luggage, as well as an upper deck VIP saloon for 30 passengers. The design also incorporates a spacious wheelhouse that has excellent all-round visibility for maximum safety in the congested waters of the Singapore Straits.

The Horizon ferries will fully comply with the 2000 High Speed Craft Code, flagged in Singapore and classed with Bureau Veritas.

Each vessel will be powered by a triple-engine configuration with three CAT C32’s, each driving a fixed pitch propeller - providing maximum operational flexibility and the most economical capital and operational cost matrix for the Horizon fleet.

James Tham, Managing Director of Penguin International Limited, explains: “While Penguin is probably better known nowadays as a crewboat design and builder, we are equally interested and conversant in the construction of passenger ferries, especially for fellow Singaporean owners.”

“We recognise BMT’s proven experience and expertise in passenger ferries, and we are happy to have them as our design partner for the Horizon ferry project,” Tham added.

Ed Dudson, Technical Director of BMT Nigel Gee, comments: “This is our second vessel design contract this year with Penguin Shipyard International and it builds on an already excellent partnership for new, fuel-efficient designs compliant with the latest regulations. Although BMT is well known for its high speed catamaran designs, this is a reminder that we also have a track record of designing high speed monohulls.”

Press Release, November 18, 2013