By GENIVI FACTAO

FBMA Marine Inc., the shipbuilding company owned by the Aboitiz Group will start building two new high speed catamarans, a repeat order from Wightlink, Portsmouth United Kingdom.

FBMA will build two 41m high speed vessels to be used in Portsmouth-Ryde commuter route.

Craig Patrick, FBMA chief engineer said the repeat order from Wightlink was won amid stiff competition from traditional catamaran builders.

FBMA refitted the firm’s existing fast passenger catamarans prior to delivery in 1997.

"We are proud to have won this order based on both our cost effectiveness and technical ability to meet stringent MCA and EU regulations," Patrick said.

FBMA also had contracted to build a 70m Ropax ferry for Scotland UK, and a 57m high-

-speed catamaran ferry for New Caledonia.

The 2 vessels are due for delivery in summer next year.

"The new catamarans, designed by BMT Nigel Gee, have been configured to optimize both sea keeping and fuel efficiency on the very busy Portsmouth - Ryde commuter route," he said.

The vessels have a single deck with 260 seats and double width boarding access doors, to enable rapid embarkation and disembarkation and luggage stowage.

The vessel has a dedicated stowage for bicycles and outdoor viewing seating area.

"We are also very pleased to be working with BMT Nigel Gee and look forward to our continuing successful association, drawing on our considerable experience of building high speed aluminum vessels here in Cebu," he added.

"FBMA is a joint venture between Aboitiz and Co. and FBM group of Hong Kong Parkview group.

The Aboitiz group also has strong partnership with highly diversified business conglomerate the Kambara Group of Japan, which leads to success in the manufacturing of ships of Tsuneishi.

Tsuneishi is by far the biggest investment in the Philippines by Tsuneishi Group, which shows its commitment to expand its business activities, to be able to snatch the position as world’s top 3 shipbuilder by 2010.