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MARKET REPORT The most recently-sealed project at the Pequot yard has added com- mercial significance for the ship- building enterprise in the light of the South American parentage of the contractual owner involved, Buquebus. The 305-passenger- capacity TriCat is to be deployed by the U.S. subsidiary of the Argentine company between Key West and Fort Myers. The New London yard is licensed to build the entire range of fast fer- ries designed in the U.K. by Isle of Wight firm FBM Marine, origina- tor of the TriCat. A joint market- ing venture covers sales through- out North and South America, the Caribbean and Hawaii. Imported technology from Australia has also helped increase the lightweight vessel dimension to U.S. shipbuilding production, as expressed in the adoption of blue- prints from Advanced Multi-Hull Designs (AMD) for ferry newbuild- ings at Dakota Creek Industries in the state of Washington. Having delivered two AMD360- type, 32-knot passenger catama- rans this year for the authorities in Vallejo, Calif., Dakota Creek's Anacortes yard is maintaining con- tinuity in aluminum ship produc- tion with a similar, 325-seat ferry for another west coast operator, Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. In addition, it has a 350-passen- ger, 43.6-m, twin-hulled ferry of the AMD385 designation on order for Washington State Ferries (WSF). Due for delivery in January 1998, the new vessel will be placed on the Seattle/Bremerton route. Expansion-minded WSF has an option on a second AMD385 from Anacortes, and a medium-term requirement for an additional four fast ferries to serve its Puget Sound route framework. The creation of a new yard in the Philippines designed specifically for the production of high-speed craft forms a response to the potential offered by the fast ferry mode in developing and moderniz- ing the transport infrastructure within the archipelago. But it also provides a platform for FBM-Aboitiz in the wider southeast and eastern Asian mar- kets, including China and Singapore, as well as Australasia. Hit by delays arising from a now resolved environmental issue, the new Belamban facility is sched- uled to initially construct two October, 1997 TriCat 45 newbuildings for Hong Kong, subcontracted from FBM Marine in the U.K. A series of four TriCat 50 catamarans is to follow on for local operator Universal Aboitiz, which has options on a further six craft of the design. The initial stage of development of the Philippine yard includes two 60-m sheds, each 22-m high, to be fol- lowed by investments in facilities for the construction of large, car- carrying catamarans and also patrol boats. Renowned for its hydrofoil tech- nology and more recently for its successful Aquastrada monohull type, Rodriquez Cantieri Navali has made an impressive business re-entry following corporate restructuring. Its Messina yard has been entrusted by Italian State Railways with the construc- tion of three 50-m monohull pas- More reliability What more could you want than the outstanding performance record of ABB turbochargers? Well, how about a completely new dimension of turbocharging technology? A world of power enhancement, where smooth operations are safeguarded by a merciless mechanical qualification program. ABB Turbo Systems heralds this new age with the introduction of the TPS turbocharger. Equipped with newly designed internal plain bearings for even more reliability. Featuring oil-cooled bearing casings and stress-optimized design for yet more lifetime. Want to reduce maintenance down to chickenfeed? Get up with the TPS, and your power will rise and shine. More performance. More partner. ABB Turbo Systems ABB Turbo Systems Ltd, CH-5401 Baden/Switzerland Telephone +41 (56) 205 40 37, Telefax +41 (56) 205 51 44 World Wide Web at http://www.abb.ch/chtus ABB Turbocharger Inc., 1460 Livingston Avenue, North Brunswick/N.J. 08902 Telephone +1 (908) 9 326 103, Telefax +1 (908) 9 326 378 A IIII aimp Circle 200 on Reader Service Card