Wight Shipyard has delivered all four catamaran ferries ordered from the company by Malta-based tour operator Captain Morgan Holdings.
The One2Three Naval Architects-designed newbuilds include two 20-metre and two 33-metre vessels.
The 20-metre catamarans will replace existing vessels which already service the historic harbour cruise around the two natural harbours surrounding the capital city of Valletta and three nearby cities. The vessels are designed to be slower harbour waterbuses for frequent stopping in ports surrounding the sheltered waters around the capital, with typical operating speeds of eight to 10 knots.
The 20-metre vessels are each powered by two MAN D2676 LE434 270kW engines and could carry up to 197 passengers and crew.
Meanwhile, the 33-metre catamarans are medium-speed vessels that will operate on a new commuter/tourist hop-on hop-off service along the east coast of Malta as far as the island of Gozo. These vessels are also replacing a number of old existing ferries which transport commuters between the islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino.
The 33-metre ferries are each powered by two MAN D28682 LE466 749kW engines that deliver a service speed of just under 20 knots and a maximum speed of 30 knots. Up to 298 passengers and crew can be accommodated on each trip.