Ulstein Introduces the X-BOW® In ‘Compact Concept’ Ro-Pax Designs
Ulstein has developed a range of X-BOW® vessels for the ro-pax market. The portfolio is based on a ‘compact concept’ of shorter, wider and slower design solutions, leading to high capacity vessels and less expensive newbuilds.
Ulstein says the ‘compact concept’ increases the competitiveness of such vessel designs by higher revenue making at lower financial and operational costs. “Many ro-pax vessels operate in harsh areas, for which the X-BOW was originally designed. An X-BOW vessel (at the same speed and weather conditions) will use less power than a conventional bow vessel. The design leads to improved seakeeping, and reduced speed loss and fuel consumption, hence a reduced environmental footprint,” says Tore Ulstein, COO Design & Solutions.
Ulstein also offers the ULSTEIN ZED solution , which can also be used on ro-pax vessels to achieve zero emissions for longer periods of time when at port or in environmentally sensitive waters.
“Our ro-pax vessel designs are optimized according to market needs and will be constructed in series for the volume market,” states Tore Ulstein. One potential country for the ship construction is China.
“We have had offices and site teams in Shanghai and Ningbo for many years, and our people have long experience in system integration and site follow-up,” says Tore Ulstein. “More than half of the more than 100 Ulstein designs which have been built outside Norway, have been constructed in China with Ulstein site teams present. We have good relations to our Chinese partner yards and are currently in dialogue with several yards on the construction of these ro-pax vessels.”
The ro-pax range have been developed for volume construction. For clients who request a higher degree of customisation, Ulstein has their own prototype yard, Ulstein Verft, in Norway.
