Presseno_Tarifa Jet_engl. - Incat

Press Release
FRS acquires catamaran for Gibraltar Strait-services
Flensburg-based Förde Reederei Seetouristik GmbH (FRS) has today announced the acquisition
of an InCat 86m Wave Piercing Catamaran boasting capacity for 800 passengers and 175
cars. The 1997-built HSC "Tarifa Jet" has been taken over this week and will join operation
on FRS' routes from Algeciras, Tarifa and Gibraltar to Tanger in mid-May. She will then
become the fastest ferry operating in Gibraltar Strait.
The FRS-service between Continental Europe and Morocco has been initiated back in 2000 on a
year-round basis. Initially operated with a pure passenger catamaran, operation was soon extended
to car-transportation with the inauguration of HSC "Tanger Jet" (580 passengers / 55 cars). In August
2004 she was joined by another high-speed craft, the InCat 78-Catamaran HSC "Thundercat 1"
(600 passengers / 125 cars) which has been long-term chartered by FRS. 'Traffic volumes have significantly
increased since, a development which now encouraged us to acquire yet another ship, our
new HSC "Tarifa Jet" which will commence operation next month' says Goetz Becker, Member of
the Managing Bord of FRS.
HSC "Tarifa Jet" was delivered by Hobart-based InCat Australia Pty. Ltd. in May 1997 and has
most recently operated as "Pescara Jet" for the Italian operator SNAV on a seasonal route between
Pescara, Hvar and Spilt in the Adriatic Sea. The catamaran has an overall length of 86.62 meters, a
beam of 26.00 m and a draft of 3.62 m. Her gross tonnage amounts 5,007 GT. The machinery consists
of four Rouston 20RK270 engines with a total output of 38,500 HP allowing a maximum service
speed of 42 knots. 800 passengers and 175 cars can be accommodated onboard; the spacious
cardeck is accessed via a stern ramp.
'The new "Tarifa Jet" is already well-suited for our service to North Africa. However, we will carry
out some minor alternations in order to tailor her to the conditions in her prospective ports of call.
Among others the stern ramp will extended to a length of 15m and a new access door for passengers
will be fitted on the passenger deck prior to inauguration', Goetz Becker comments. The accommodation
of "Tarifa Jet" boasts a maximum of comfort and will introduce a new standard in traffic
across Gibraltar Strait. This adds perfectly up with FRS' service concept aiming to turn the shortcut
crossing between Europe and North Africa into a convenient, relaxing voyage. Passengers can unwind
in comfortable aircraft-style chairs, buy a wide selection of Duty-Free items and enjoy a wide
verity of drinks, refreshments as well as hot and cold dishes. Modern technical equipment onboard
and the crew's thorough training ensure a maximum of onboard safety.
FRS has been on a course of growth and expansion ever since it started operating on lines across
Gibraltar Strait. 'The purchase of "Tarifa Jet" is another milestone in this strategy", Goetz Becker
says. He outlines that "Tanger Jet" and "Thundercat 1" will continue operating between Tarifa, Algeciras,
Gibraltar and Tanger together with the newly acquired vessel. "As from mid-May we will
have three modern car-carrying catamarans in service. This leads to a significant frequency increase
on our routes', Goetz Becker assumes.

Last year, FRS carried 800,000 passengers and 150,000 cars on its Gibraltar Strait lines. The company,
which also trades in the Baltic and North Sea, manages its operation through two whollyowned
subsidiaries, FRS Iberia S.L. in Spain and FRS Maroc S.A.R.L. in Morocco. A third subsidiary,
Ferrys Rápidos del Sur, organises highly popular excursions to Morocco.
Main particulars of the HSC “Tarifa Jet”:
IMO-number: 9150999
Shipyard:
Incat Tasmania Pty. Ltd.
Year of delivery: 1997
Design:
InCat 86m Wave Piercing Catamaran
Gross tonnage: 5,007 GT
Deadweight:
350 tdw
Length over all: 86.62 m
Beam over all: 26.00 m
Draft:
3.62 m (loaded)
Passenger capacity: 800
Private cars: 175
Main engines:
4 x Ruston 20RK270, output 38,500 HP
Service speed:
42.0 knots
Flenburg / Tarifa, April 2006
A picture of HSC “Tarifa Jet” and the current press release you’ll find on www.frs.es
_____________________________________________________
Your contact for further information :
Förde Reederei Seetouristik GmbH & Co. KG
Norderhofenden 19-20, 24937 Flensburg
Telefon: +49 (0) 4 61 864-11
Telefax: +49 (0) 4 61 864-44
E-Mail: management@frs.de
Internet: www.frs.de
F R S Iberia S.L.
Apartado de Correos, 13, 11380 Tarifa / Spain
Phone: +34 956 627440
Facsimile: +34 956 627433
Email: management@frs.es
Internet: www.frs.es