HSC Francisco
High speed catamaran
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
HSC Francisco is a high-speed catamaran built by Incat in Hobart, Tasmania. Powered by liquefied natural gas,[4][5] she is currently the fastest passenger ship in service, reaching a speed of 58 knots (107 km/h; 67 mph). Propulsion is by two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, coupled with two Wärtsilä water-jets.[6] It has a capacity of 1,024 passengers and crew and 150 cars.
Francisco in Buenos Aires | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Uruguay | |
| Name | HSC Francisco |
| Namesake | Pope Francis, first Argentine Pope |
| Owner | 2013–present: Buquebus |
| Route | Buenos Aires—Montevideo |
| Builder | Incat, Hobart, Tasmania |
| Yard number | 69 |
| Launched | 17 November 2012 |
| In service | 2013 |
| Home port | Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Identification |
|
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 7,109 GT; Summer DWT: 500 t; 1,516 tonnes of displacement[1] |
| Length | 99 m |
| Beam | 26.48 m |
| Installed power | 6 Caterpillar C18 generators for onboard power + 2 Caterpillar C9 generators for main engine services |
| Propulsion | 2 General Electric LM2500 rated at 22 MW each[2] driving 2 Wärtsilä LJX1720 SR Waterjets |
| Speed | 58 knots (67 mph; 107 km/h) |
| Capacity |
|
The catamaran is owned and operated by Argentine-Uruguayan ferry company Buquebus. Francisco plies the 146-nautical-mile (270 km; 168 mi) sea route between Buenos Aires and Montevideo,[7] in around two hours and 45 minutes.
HSC Francisco is named after Pope Francis.
The company receives 66 tons of LNG per day from 7 production units at a facility in San Vicente near Buenos Aires, sufficient for two round-trips per day for the ship. The LNG is sent in LNG-powered tank trucks to the ship.[8][9]
See also
