Damen Shipyards has signed a contract to build a new Fast Ferry 4212 (FFe 4212) for South Korean ferry operator KT Marine.
ACcording to the Dutch shipbuilder, the contract signifies the continuing success of not only Damen’s standing in the South Korean ferry sector, but also of the proven design of the FFe 4212. Due to its building strategy, Damen will be able to deliver the vessel by mid-2024.
Damen-built Fast Ferries have become an increasingly common site in South Korean waters in recent years. This trend is set to continue with this latest vessel for KT Marine, marking the seventh Damen Fast Ferry built for the Korean market. Moreover, this new vessel will be the fifth to be built for South Korean operators.
Og Yeol Bag, President KT Marine said: “The Fast Ferry 4212 from Damen excels in both quality and delivery time. In addition, our management team holds a strong belief that our choice of Damen for the Fast Ferry 4212 will enable us to elevate our service to the highest standards, comfort and reliability for our valued customers.”
The FFe 4212 is a 42m long aluminium catamaran that can carry up to 423 passengers and has a maximum speed of 40 knots. The power is provided by four main engines delivering 5,760kW of power to four waterjets. The model is said to be known for its reliability and high level of onboard comfort. KT Marine will be deploying the new vessel on a route between Yeosu harbour and Geomundo Island (off the south coast of South Korea).
As with other high-selling vessel designs, Damen builds the FFe 4212 with a speculative building strategy. As such, the vessel ordered by KT Marine is already under construction at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam and is expected to be ready for delivery by mid-2024. KT Marine is a new client for Damen.
Damen Regional Sales Director Asia-Pacific Thomas Röwekamp said: “We are honoured to welcome KT Marine into the Damen family. They reviewed all the options available before choosing our successful Fast Ferry 4212. The proven and reliable Fast Ferry 4212 will be yet another great addition to South Korea’s ferry market and of course for the scenic route from Yeosu to Geomundo Island.”
Image: FFe 4212 (Soure: Damen)
