Damen Singapore Launches Fast Ferry
In a ceremony held at Damen Shipyards Singapore on 19 April, a new Damen RoPax Ferry 4812 was launched. His Excellency, Dr. Augusto da Silva Tomás, Minister of Transport for the Republic of Angola officially launched the new fast ferry, which was ordered by the country’s Ministerio dos Transportes, the Ministry of Transport, through IMPA (Instituto Marítimo e Portuário de Angola).
The vessel will be operated by TMA Express (Transporte Marítimo de Angola) and operate on Angola’s Atlantic coastline between the capital Luanda and Cabinda, around 400 kilometers to the north, via Soyo.
The Fast RoPax Ferry 4812 is the latest addition to Damen’s state-of-the-art Fast RoPax Ferry range. Built in aluminium, these modern vessels are fast, comfortable and fuel efficient, with a top speed of 20.5 knots and a range of 815nm. 60 passengers can be carried on the upper deck while the lower deck can carry up to ten cars or the equivalent and nine containers. Total cargo capacity is 123t. Two of the similar but slightly smaller 4512 series are currently operating in the Cape Verde islands.
Following her launch, the 4812 for IMPA is now completing her fitting out and finishing. The vessel is scheduled for delivery towards the end of June 2018.