Onorato Armatori group announced the start of the steel cutting of the first of two new ro-pax units ordered last year to Guangzhou Shipyard International in China by Fratelli Onorato Armatori, company jointly controlled by Achille and Alessandro Onorato, sons of Vincenzo.
This first new building is set to enter service for Moby between Livorno and Olbia, Sardinia island (Olbia). She will be named MOBY FANTASY, thus reactivating a name previously used for another ferry which was sold for scrap few years ago.
The new ship is expected to be delivered in summer 2022 while the second ro-pax unit will follow the following year.
These vessels, which may be followed by further two new buildings currently in option, will be over 237 meters long and 32 wide, 67,000 GT, 550 cabins, 2,500 passengers and 3,800 lane metres ro-ro capacity.
The new ships, designed by OSK-Shiptech, will be slower compared to the most-modern vessels currently employed by Moby but more fuel efficient. With a 23.5 knot service speed and Wärtsilä 9L46F diesel-engines they will burn around 30% less fuel. The new ro-pax ships will be also fitted with hybrid exhaust gas scrubbers and will be LNG-ready.
