In response to the growing need for high-speed transport with minimal environmental impact, Supershuttle has been developed as a truly environmentally sustainable high-speed ferry concept.

High-speed ferries are commonly viewed as being a real public transport alternative to congested roads on intra and inter-city routes - the infrastructure costs are low and the waterways are free. However, high-speed ferries have consistently been identified as inefficient when compared to other modes of transport, not only in terms of the quantity of fuel they burn but also the air pollution they generate. Unlike diesel engines designed for land-based applications, marine diesel engines are not subjected to the same environmental standards and can emit toxic and carcinogenic pollutants at rates that are orders of magnitude above accepted land-based standards.

The Supershuttle design variants - the 62 and 45 metre coastal ferries and the 36 metre low-wash Rivershuttle - are configured to run primarily on alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas or, where natural gas is not available, propane. The advantages of these alternative fuels are:

rates of toxic emissions that are small compared to diesel fuel and in some cases immeasurable;
reduced greenhouse gas emissions;
cleaner burning fuel, dramatically increasing engine life and reducing engine maintenance costs and downtime;
cheaper fuel source - natural gas reserves in particular are more widespread and not subjected to the same global political forces as crude oil. Most governments recognise the environmental significance of gaseous fuels and do not impose the same rates of taxation as for liquid fuels;
they can be used to attract substantial government assistance, aimed at the introduction of alternative fuels in transport applications and the community benefits they bring;
it can be used as a positive marketing tool.

62 metre

The 62 metre Supershuttle is specifically designed for short-haul, passenger-only ferry services in rough water conditions. Its long length, combined with sophisticated ride control equipment, provides a time-proven level of comfort for passengers and crew.

Powered by twin gas turbine engines and waterjets, the vessel is fuelled by compressed natural gas stored in carbon fibre cylinders low in the vessel. The unique propulsion equipment configuration, gas system layout and inherent safety of lighter-than-air natural gas guarantees the highest level of safety and redundancy.

It can be arranged with gas-only primary fuel or with a gas turbine and wing diesel arrangement running on both natural gas and diesel fuel.

DIMENSIONS
length overall	62.00m
length waterline	49.00m
beam	8.50m
draught	1.31m
capacity	450 passengers (2 disabled) 9 crew
speed	50 knots maximum 40 knots cruise
propulsion	Twin gas turbine engines, 6MW per side, driving waterjets
auxiliaries	2 x diesel generators, 145kWe each Single bow thruster
fuel	5,340m3 compressed natural gas 600 litres diesel
fresh water	2,000 litres
range	70nm at 40 knots, with 20% remaining
refuelling time	less than 10 minutes
survey	Lloyds Register of Shipping +100A1 SSC Pax (A) Mono HSC G3

45 metre

This smaller version of the 62-metre concept has a modest passenger-only capacity in a hull configured for short coastal routes where passenger comfort is paramount.

The propulsion system combines the benefits of the gas turbine / natural gas combination with two smaller diesel engines for use at slow speeds, increasing redundancy and flexibility.

The gas cylinder stowage is located above the main deck, improving accessibility and reducing reliance on forced safety ventilation systems.

DIMENSIONS
length overall	45.00m
length waterline	40.00m
beam	6.70m
draught	1.06m
capacity	226 passengers (2 disabled) 6 crew
speed	24 knots on diesels only 45knots maximum 40 knots cruise
propulsion	2 x 1050kW diesel engines 1 x Rolls-Royce Allison 501 K*5 gas turbine, 3,978kW 3 x waterjets
auxiliaries	2 x 75kVA gensets
fuel	2,028m3 compressed natural gas in 24 composite cylinders 4,000 litres diesel
fresh water	1,000 litres
range	205nm at 20 knots on diesel only 1 hour turbine operation at 40 knots, plus starting and idling, with 25% CNG remaining
survey	Lloyds Register of Shipping +100A1 SSC Pax (A) Mono HSC G3

Rivershuttle

The Rivershuttle is the first attempt at a viable alternative to low-wash catamaran designs. Although it is generally believed that only catamarans can provide a low-wash hull form, it is possible to configure a monohull design to produce wash as low or lower than a catamaran. This is done through careful reduction in overall hull volume, hence reduced hull weight, resulting in much simpler construction and lower capital costs.

The design also benefits from being approximately 60% narrower than an equivalent catamaran, which is important in narrow and restricted waterways. The layout is aimed primarily at passenger transport and the vessel is to be considered as the marine equivalent of a bus or train.

The vessel can be fuelled by liquid or gaseous fuels and is particularly suited to fuelling with propane.

DIMENSIONS
length overall	37.70m
length waterline	35.45m
beam	4.30m
draught	1.10m
displacement	34 tonnes at full load
capacity	148 passengers (2 disabled) 2 crew 6 bicycles (or as required)
speed	24 knots maximum 22 knots cruise
propulsion	2 x 302kW diesel engines driving 5-blade propellers
auxiliaries	12kW hydraulic bow thruster
fuel	1,500 litres diesel (or gas alternative to suit)
fresh water	250 litres
range	230nm with 10% remaining
survey	Smooth waters only

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Model testing of the one-twentieth scale (1.8 metre) Rivershuttle model


Open water wash testing of a one-eighth scale (7.35 metre) self-propelled model of the 62 metre Supershuttle