VESSEL REVIEW | Marie-Therese – Shuttle ferry to serve French Mediterranean islands

French shipbuilder Transmetal Industrie has delivered a new passenger and freight ferry to Les Iles Paul Ricard, a vessel operating company based on France's Mediterranean coast. Designed by local naval architecture firm Mer et Design, the vessel has been named Marie-Therese after the wife of Les Iles Paul Ricard's namesake, French industrialist and property developer Paul Ricard.

The newbuild has a steel hull, an aluminium superstructure, a length of 25 metres, and a beam of 8.2 metres. Various freight and passenger load combinations can be accommodated. Up to 60 tonnes of freight including vehicles can be transported along with only 12 passengers while up to 200 people can be transported during passenger-only sailings. With a 40-tonne semi-trailer embarked, the ferry can still accommodate 97 passengers.

The ferry is also the largest in the owner's fleet. This is despite its 25-metre length, which was deliberately chosen due to restrictions on navigation in the ports that it will regularly visit.

The ferry also boasts sleeping compartments for passengers and a stern cargo ramp. Loading and unloading of freight such as vehicles and construction equipment can be undertaken at jetties of varying heights thanks to a ballasting system that allows the tilt of the vessel to be adjusted manually. This ability means the vessel can berth at a greater number of ports and conduct cargo operations without the need to modify the existing infrastructure at those ports.

Power for the ferry is provided by two Volvo D16 IMO Tier III engines fitted with selective catalytic reduction systems and urea tanks to help reduce emissions. The wheelhouse spans nearly the full beam of the vessel and is designed to provide a panoramic view for the bridge crew.

Marie-Therese will be operated primarily between the French Mediterranean islands of Embiez and Bendor.

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