Four MAN Diesel Ltd 18VP185s each rated at 3700 kWb will be supplied for a new 82 metre Aquastrada monohull ferry to be built in Messina, Sicily by the Italian shipbuilder, Rodriguez Cantieri Navali.

The aluminium hulled fast ferry will be able to carry up to 1246 passengers with a maximum payload of 56 cars or 22 cars and 110 metres of truck lanes. The high speed engines are located at the aft end of the ship, allowing for greater optimization of the garage space. Top 'loaded' speed will be in the region of 39 knots and the quadruple VP185 engines will drive LIPS waterjets through Reintjes gearboxes. Waterjet propulsion, a common feature of this class of vessel, guarantees reduced draft and excellent manoeuvrability. Aquastrada can rotate 360 degrees around its centre, can move sideways and stop from full speed ahead to zero in less than 4 ship lengths.

The S.M.S. (Seaworthiness Management System) entirely designed and built by Rodriquez, allows full comfort and safety even in the most severe sea conditions. The S.M.S. keeps pitching and vertical acceleration, which affect passenger comfort, below the most severe endurance limits set by ISO standards, even in 5 to 6 metre waves.

Passenger comfort will be enhanced with aircraft style seats in spacious and noiseless saloons with all sorts of available services such as a bar, shops, television and luggage store rooms.

The VP185 engines will be delivered Spring 2002 and the new vessel will be commissioned early in 2003 to operate between Spain and Morocco.