Two new aluminium high-speed Ro-Pax ferries, Jazirat Dalma and Al Dhannah, designed by Incat Crowther are now connecting Dalma Island and Jebel Dhannah in Abu Dhabi, following the successful completion of sea trials. Commissioned by the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi, the vessels are part of ongoing efforts to enhance safe, efficient, and comfortable marine transport across the region.
The new 56-metre vessels built by Singapore based, publicly listed, designer, builder, owner and operator, Penguin International Limited in Batam, Indonesia, can transport up to 192 passengers and 25 vehicles at speeds of up to 39 knots, equivalent to roughly 70 km per hour. Each vessel boasts a spacious, air-conditioned passenger deck which provides comfortable seating for 185 passengers, space for an additional seven wheelchair passengers and two large viewing areas at the bow and stern.
With sleek catamaran hulls and aluminium construction, Jazirat Dalma and Al Dhannah offer speed, stability and efficiency, and have been designed with comfort and accessibility in mind. Each vessel features a VIP room for eight passengers, two cafés, five bathrooms, and a playroom for children. Ample luggage and cargo spaces have also been included throughout both the passenger and vehicle decks, which are connected via an onboard elevator.
Each vessel is powered by four MTU engines and propelled by Kongsberg Maritime Kamewa waterjets with Jazirat Dalma and Al Dhannah designed specifically for extreme temperatures and sandy conditions in the Arabian Gulf.
The vessels’ vehicle deck has been designed for operational efficiency and allows for quick roll-on and roll-off operations. The elevated wheelhouse provides each vessel’s captain with excellent lines of sight while the bridge deck also features a crew mess and bathrooms for the vessel’s ten crew.
Ed Dudson, Incat Crowther’s Managing Director, Europe said, “The successful entry into service of Jazirat Dalma and Al Dhannah is testament to the strong collaboration that defined this project. Our team of naval architects has worked closely with shipbuilder Penguin International throughout and we’re proud to see these vessels in operation.”
