Natchan Rera

The first of Incat's landmark 112 metre Wave Piercing Catamarans, Natchan Rera was delivered to Japanese ferry company Higashi Nihon Ferry. The vessel is the largest, most fuel efficient Diesel powered high speed Catamaran in the world.

Natchan Rera sails at loaded speeds of approximately 40 knots and has the capacity to carry 355 cars or 450 lane metres of trucks and 193 cars. While Incat's 112 metre vessel design can accommodate up to 1500 persons Natchan Rera's luxurious accommodation has been custom designed and laid out to cater for 800 persons in unprecedented levels of style and comfort. The ship was recognised at Europe’s annual ferry industry event, the Shippax Ferry Shipping Onboard Conference, attended by some 300 ferry shipping executives. Higashi Nihon Ferry won the coveted ShipPax Hispeed Concept Award.

Wärtsilä solution
Natchan Rera is equipped with four LJX1500 type waterjets offers.This waterjet design, in comparison with other waterjets available today, offers a 25% reduction in mounting flange diameter, a 10% overall weight reduction and a 35% increase in cavitation margin. The jets are designed for an inboard layout for steering and reversing hydraulics. Robert Clifford, Incat group of companies chairman, commented on the jets “We have made a significant step forward with this new axial jet design. The delivered power is doing the job expected. The bonus is that more cavitation margin is available through the rev range, allowing more power to be used in manoeuvring. More available power means more side thrust and this is important. The weight and space savings are also of benefit. Good news for shipbuilders seeking high performance”