TRIMARAN HIGH SPEED CRUISE LOGISTICS FERRY (CLF) FOR EUROPE'S MOTORWAYS OF THE SEA

The EU Trans-European network “motorways of the sea” concept aims at introducing new intermodal maritime-based logistics chains in Europe, which should bring about a structural change in transport organisation. These chains will be more sustainable, and should be commercially more efficient, than road-only transport. Motorways of the sea will thus improve access to markets throughout Europe, and bring relief to the over-stretched European road system . The design concept presented in this paper is a high speed vessel to compete with road transport and air transport, supported by specialised infrastructure to optimise the vessel loading and unloading process for cars and HGVs. The vessel design combines the following functions: high speed ferry as an alternative to HGV road transport; passenger ferry as a alternative to flights; luxury cruising cabins. It is based on a 120m trimaran platform designed to operate at 40 knots as a coastal cruiser in the Mediterranean, connecting the coast of Spain, France and Italy. This project is an engagement in Design-Driven Innovation (DDI), with the objective of changing the design meaning of what a multi-purpose commercial vessel can be, proposing the CLF as a new market sector for the commercial marine industry. The key driver is sustainable luxury, as the vessel is multifunctional, providing a high speed alternative to less sustainable modes of transport. This addresses the growing European definition of green luxury and could create a new market sector between cruise ships and high end passenger ferries, reducing motorway traffic and hence logistics carbon footprint.