Incat’s latest fast-cat takes to the waves

Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat has launched its latest wave-piercing catamaran, which has a holy twist.

INCAT’S latest high-speed catamaran was launched today, and will continue carving a course up and down the River Derwent in the weeks ahead.

The 110m ferry will have sea trials throughout January prior to its delivery to her new European owner for service between Malta and Sicily.

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Bearing the name Saint John Paul II, the wave-piercing vessel has been named in honour of the Pope who served from 1978 to 2005.

The vessel will be the largest high-speed catamaran in the Mediterranean, able to reach 38 knots and complete the crossing between Malta to Sicily in only 90 minutes.

Robert Clifford of Incat with ferry Saint John Paul II named after former pope John Paul II. New ferry Saint John Paul II constructed by Incat is in the final stages of completion before making the two week journey to begin operation between Sicily and Malta as a passenger ferry. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Work commenced on the ship in 2017, and Incat chairman Robert Clifford said it had been an honour to work with the new owner, Virtu Ferries.

“Virtu Ferries is amongst the oldest, most respected and most discerning fast ferry operators in the world, operating a variety of high speed ship services throughout the Mediterranean and Adriatic,” he said.

The catamaran, which weighs 1000 tonnes, can accommodate 924 passengers and crew and can carry up to 167 cars.

Incat has two 111m vessels currently under construction at the shipyard, to be completed early next year.

The past year has been extremely busy for the shipbuilder, growing from just over 200 to 650 staff.