ULJANIK Shipyard launched a newbuild Ro-Ro passenger vessel for the Croatian national shipping company Jadrolinija on January 25th 2014.
This is the first of a series of four identical Ro-Ro passenger vessels designed for two-way direct sailing for the transportation of 600 passengers in summer months or 320 passengers in the winter period in the closed lounge. The ferries will also be able to transport 145 standard vehicles or 16 trailers of 40 tonnes each.
In addition to leading people from Uljanik and Jadrolinija, the Deputy of the Minister for Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure, Mr. Zdenko Antešić, was also present. Mr. Antešić stressed the importance of collaboration between the shipyard of Pula and the national shipping company.
The first lady of the ceremony, Ms Rosana Percan, an engineer who works in the shipyard, released the vessel into the sea with the traditional cutting of the rope.
Mr. Eduard Milovan, director of ULANIK Shipyard, addressed all those present, stressing the high level of completion of the vessel and its scheduled delivery in April this year.
With the construction and modernization of the national fleet the frequency of transport lines is increased and preparations for the liberalization of the market, which starts in 2017, are intensified. Therefore the importance of Jadrolinija remaining competitive at the time of arrival of foreign vessels was expressed by Antešić.
The President of the Management Board of Jadrolinija, Mr. Alan Klanac, expressed the importance of continuous investment in the fleet and the fact that Jadrolinija’s fleet is the youngest in the Mediterranean.
All the vessels from the series will be 99.8 m long, 17.5 m wide, and will have a draught of 2.4 m, deadweight at maximum draught of 950 tonnes and a speed of 12.5 knots. Each vessel will be driven by four Volvo (Penta) main engines, each having a power of 442 kW at 1800 rpm.
The contract for construction was signed on 4th March, while the keel was laid at the beginning of October last year. After the launching the keel for Yard 505 was laid on the slipway, for a vessel which will be identical to the launched 503, also being constructed by Uljanik for Jadrolinija.
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Uljanik, February 10, 2014