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Catamaran Kriola arrives in Cape Verde for Christmas

Catamaran Kriola arrives in Cape Verde for ChristmasThe catamaran Kriola will be delivered today, November 26th 2010, to its owner, Cabo Verde Fast Ferry (CVFF). The first of two high-speed ferries, built in Singapore. The vessel should arrive in the country between 25th & 29th December, and three days after conducting its maiden voyage on the route Praia, Fogo and Brava.

Cape Verde will have in the first days of January 2011, its first marine unit to operate modern and fast axis Praia / Fogo / Brava / Maio. It Kriola catamaran, built from scratch in the shipyards of the Dutch company Damen Shipyard in Singapore.

According to the vice president of CA CVFF, the ferry will be delivered this weekend the weekend, and, next Monday, 29, begin journey to Cape Verde by a vessel suitable for this purpose. Gregor Nelson moves the boat will be, for security reasons and not only followed for part of the journey by helicopter, from which will be photographed.

This operator ensures that the trip should last between 29 and 30 days, depending on the conditions of seaworthiness. All things considered, the Kriola come to the country between 25 and 29 December, to begin operating in early January 2011. For all it represents and has already been said and written, the arrival of the vessel to Cape Verde is being awaited with much anticipation, especially the islands of Fogo, Brava and Maio are the most affected by isolation.

The inauguration of the transport will be expected to be marked with much pomp and circumstance. That moment will be to show that the dream can be reality, since the will to join. After all, is the first time businesspeople Cape Verdeans living abroad and in Cape Verde to join a major undertaking for the benefit of these islands.

"We do between 2 and 3 days after the arrival of Kriola, the first maiden voyage on the route Santiago / Fogo and Brava. There, the capital of each of these three islands, separate measures to mark the beginning of his career that first drive fast Fast Ferry, which then extend his career for the Isle of Maio, 'says Nelson Gregor.

The businessman stressed that since 1 December, to announce the Fast Ferry fare that will perform for different types of passenger and cargo. Gregor Nelson adds that the company is now selecting 70 members to its staff, following a public tender held for this purpose which was attended by 1,300 candidates. Those chosen must integrate the various administrative departments of the ship and crew CVFF Kriola and Freedom. Rather, it will undergo special training. The goal, remember that the operator is to provide the Cape Verdeans a high quality service.

After all, this first catamaran built from scratch, it's modern and fast, so it has nothing to do with the "junkyards" that have been imported and operate in coastal Cape Verde. After the entry of Kriola, the freedom came between April and May 2011 for this case, connect the Windward Islands. In addition to faster, the new units have a capacity to carry 158 passengers, 20 cars and light trucks in three containerized system.

Alirio Dias de Pina

Read the full article Catamaran Kriola arrives in Cape Verde for Christmas

CV Fast Ferry, Maio Port Requires Adaption

A little over a month until the arrival of the first Fast Ferry Kriola from Cabo Verde Fast Ferry (CVFF). CVFF is waiting for an adjustment that has to be made to the port in Maio before it can receive the new ferry.
According to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the CVFF company, Andy Andrade, "The port in Maio has to be adapted with a ramp to receive the ferry."

Andy Andrande told the "Voice Djarmai di", a gathering of entrepreneurs and the Dutch Cape Verdeans in Rotterdam, "The CVFF, is sensitive to the problem of maritime connection between Praia / Maio / Praia, could not Djarmai out the project", but Andrade says that "without port adaptation this connection will be impossible." However, he claims to be in contact with the Mayor of Maio, Manuel Ribeiro, and ENAPOR who have been unwilling to resolve this issue.

Note that the ferry Kriola "already done this month and was baptised on October 22 in Singapore should, according to Andrade, arrive in Cape Verde between 24 and 26 December. However, judging by how things have gone, the people maense have to wait a while to see the resolved problem of sea transport.

Article: CV Fast Ferry, Maio Port Requires Adaption

DAMEN delivers first-ever newbuild fast ferry to Cape Verde

Singapore, October 22

Cape Verde marked an important milestone in its history as the ten-island state sees the official inauguration of its first-ever, newbuild fast ferry. The “Kriola”, a DAMEN Fast Ferry 4512, literally represents a lifeline to Cape Verdeans.

DAMEN Regional Director, Friso Visser, commented: “We are very proud to have been chosen to partner with Cape Verde in this unique project and to be able to answer the exact needs of the owner, Cabo Verde Fast Ferry.”

The Dutch shipbuilding group, headquartered in Gorinchem in the Netherlands, is especially delighted to have managed to build the new ro-ro ferry in less than one year and to have even delivered it weeks earlier than planned.

Kriola is expected to enter service by the end of the year and a second sister vessel, the Liberdadi, is due to be delivered early 2011. Other vessels may follow in the future to boost Cape Verde’s sea transportation connectivity.

As well as being the country’s first new fast ferry, the vessel was also funded in a unique way. Cabo Verde Fast Ferry carried out the country’s first Initial Public Offering (IPO) to raise the funds needed. Cape Verdeans were so keen to buy bonds that the IPO resulted in one of the highest stock exchange participations ever.

The Kriola can accommodate 164 passengers and 65 tonnes of cargo and was built at DAMEN Shipyards Singapore, a yard known for its quality aluminium fast ferries, patrol boats, crew suppliers and workboats.

Cabo Verde Fast Ferry President, Andy Andrade, outlined the importance of the new vessel to the islanders.

Cape Verde has always been somewhat isolated because of its position in the middle of the Atlantic but this is particularly worse for the outlying island of Brava, explained Mr. Andrade.
“Often transportation is only carried out on an ad-hoc basis because the waters are subject to many currents, substantial wave heights and very windy conditions. Safe, reliable transportation to the islands was a key priority.”

Cabo Verde Fast Ferry company contacted several yards, both in Europe and the US, Mr. Andrade stressed: “Our new vessels had to be very specific for Cape Verde. It was only DAMEN that took the time to actually look at the specific needs of Cape Verde.”

Seakeeping ability was crucial and the vessel had to be able to support the business plan, so facilitate the right mix of passengers/cargo, comfort levels, fuel consumption and operational costs weight into the design factors.

The DAMEN 4512 also appealed because it could offer a very fast turnaround in port because the vessel is very compact. To achieve the same operational profile, a comparable German-built vessel operating between the islands is 68 meters - a considerable increase on the 45 m length of the DAMEN Fast Ferry.

Another high priority request from CVFF was a ferry that had to be able to serve the four southern islands in a day before travelling back to its home port in Brava for the night. Therefore, it needed to achieve speeds of 18-22 knots.

“These two vessels will really bring maritime transportation into the 21st century,” company executives emphasized. They are certain that as soon as the Kriola arrives it will stimulate travel and it will give a boost to the economy. The DAMEN Fast Ferry will not only make it easier for foreign tourism but also internal tourism between the islands. Workers and students travelling will also benefit from the new ferries, added Andy.

Established in 1927, DAMEN now has more than 30 shipyards worldwide and employs 6,700 people. In 2009, the company had a turnover of E1.4bn. DAMEN has an extremely varied portfolio, specialising in fast ferries, tugs, workboats, patrol craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, mega yachts and naval vessels.

DAMEN has been a pioneer of modular shipbuilding based on standardised designs. Introduced in 1969 by DAMEN Chairman, Kommer Damen, this technique gives the yard the ability to offer well-proven vessels, very short delivery times and competitive prices.

In addition to newbuild construction, DAMEN is involved in maintenance and repair activities and a wide range of associated maritime services.