The Shinas Catamaran, launched in September 2007, is one of two identical vessels ordered in May 2006 by the Sultanate of Oman for the expanded coastal marine transport network. The vessel arrived in Muscat, Oman after a 15-day journey from Austal’s shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. Its sister ship, the Hormuz, was launched in May 2008 at Austal’s Henderson shipyard. The vessels were built with an investment of $70m.
The vessels can accommodate 208 passengers and 12 crew members each on the upper deck in three classes: Tourist, First and VIP.
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The Shinas was delivered in June 2008, while the Hormuz was handed over in August 2008.
The vessels have been built in accordance with Det Norske Veritas survey requirements and conform to the International Maritime Organisation High Speed Craft code.
The Shinas is 64.8m long, with a waterline length of 61.1m. The moulded beam is 16.5m with hull depth moulded at 6.2m. The max hull draft is 2.1m and max deadweight is 146t. Fuel capacity is 44,000l.
Construction and speed
The catamaran order required the vessels to be fast, yet carry a high payload of vehicles. The Shinas achieved a record speed of 55.9kt on sea trials in Australia, making it the fastest diesel-powered passenger ferry currently in commercial service (cruising speed is 52kt).
Interceptors (Austal SeaState motion control system) fixed to the ferry’s transom provide ride control for greater passenger comfort. The two new vessels are able to assist in search and rescue and medivac operations having been equipped with helicopter landing and onboard medical facilities. Located on the bridge deck, the helicopter landing deck is suitable for the landing of a medium-class helicopters (rated for a 6.4t helicopter.
The Shinas is powered by four MTU 20 cylinder 1163 series diesel engines, each producing 6,500kW with 4 × Reintjes gearboxes and driving Rolls-Royce/Kamewa waterjets (4 × Kamewa 90SII).
Passenger accomodation
Tourist-class seating is aft on the upper deck and has fixed and adjustable Beurteaux Tourist High Back seating for 172 passengers. Each seats has leather headrests, armrests, meal trays in the seat back and life-jacket storage (underneath).
There are also twenty Beurteaux tub seats with tables positioned with views from the aft end of the ship. All passengers are able to use the ship’s Gitesse IMCOS audio-visual entertainment system via headphones.
Further forward on the upper deck is the First-class accommodation for 28 passengers. Finally, there is an eight-person private VIP room just forward and centre of First class.
The passenger stairways are marked for safety using LED indicators.
Design features
The wheelhouse was designed to provide a full 360-degree visibility (including a view to the helicopter landing deck). The helicopter deck is licensed for domestic operations and has lighting systems for night-time operations. A CILAS gyro stabilised glide scope indicator is in place to enhance safety.
The vehicle deck aft was designed to take axle loads of 9t or 12t (dual wheel). The rest of the main deck has a design maximum axle load of 3t (single wheel).
