New ship to be named ‘Moby Fantasy’
Italy’s Moby Lines has confirmed that steel cutting has started for the first of two “next-generation” ferries. Moby Lines parent Onorato Armatori signed the order at the Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) shipyard last year. The first ship is to be named MOBY FANTASY, a name previously used by the company’s first cruise ferry. The new ship is expected to be delivered in summer 2022 for introduction on the Livorno-Olbia service. The second ship is expected to be delivered towards the end of 2022 and enter service early in the following year. GSI also currently has orders from DFDS and P&O Ferries in addition to other ferry operators.
The new ships are expected to weigh around 67,000 gt and will be over 237m long and 32m wide. MOBY FANTASY and her sister will be a big upgrade in capacity from the ships they replace as the company flagships, MOBY AKI and MOBY WONDER. Almost double the space for freight will be offered with 3,800 lane metres available on each ship. Passenger capacity will be 2,500 and 550 cabins will be provided.
30% more efficient
The new ships, designed by OSK-Shiptech, will be slower than the current vessels but much more fuel efficient. With a 23.5 knot service speed and Wärtsilä 9L46F diesel-engines they will burn around 30% less fuel than MOBY WONDER. MOBY FANTASY and her sister will be fitted with hybrid exhaust gas scrubbers. They will also be prepared for future installation of equipment to be converted to LNG fuel should that be required. OSK-Shiptech subsidiary Steen-Friis Design will be the interior designer on the project.
