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erations. He also contended that some of the proposals publicized by other orga- nizations did not match "the technical comprehensiveness of our subsequent design study for a 9,200-TEU vessel." The society's research endeavors perti- nent to boxship technology and safety include participation in a number of European Union- and German govern- ment-sponsored projects. One are of study, dubbed Roll-S, is the phenome- non of parametric roll as affects large containerships in particular. GL has also addressed issues relating to the adoption of ever-more powerful main engines in increasingly large box- ships, as regards engine deflections and interactions between the machinery and the ship's hull. It has developed a new method of engine alignment aimed at minimizing loads on crankshafts and obviating the engine-hull interaction problems experienced by some contain- erships. Furthermore, the society has been involved in strengthening contain- ership hulls at anchor contact points, hawse pipes and tug pressure points. It is also developing instrumentation to indi- cate hull stresses and reduce storm dam- age, and is investigating improvements in lashing systems. GL's stake in boxship classification amounts to 31-percent of gt and 35-per- cent of ships in service, as at October 2001. However, this is set to grow by virtue of a 51 -percent penetration of ton- nage under construction and on order, corresponding to 56-percent by vessel number. Comfort in Class Italian ferry operators' widespread endorsement of vessel speed as a tool of competition and improved productivity has provided a platform for the advance of maritime technology across a broader front in Italy. Through its project for a new breed of full-displacement, RoRo passenger ferry able to attain a top speed of 31-knots. Neapolitan coastal and shortsea specialist Tirrenia di Nav- igazione signaled its determination to ensure long-term competitiveness in a core business, namely the traffic between the Italian mainland and Sar- dinia. Bithia, the first of two sisters, which bring the concept to realization, is a testament to Fincantieri's design skills in achieving a remarkable combination of speed, power and carrying capacity. In addition, the award of the Comfort Class notation by Registro Italiano Navale (RINA) denotes the designers' ability to overcome the particular techni- cal challenge associated with ensuring minimal noise and vibration in a com- paratively fine-lined hull encapsulating a multi-engine plant and power train intended to ensure a cruising speed of 29 knots. The 36,500-gt Bithia is the first RoPax ferry of conventional type to receive January, 2002 RINA's Comfort Class certification, hitherto conferred on cruise ships and high-speed craft since its introduction in 1999. The award was made by the society following a comprehensive series of tests carried out in the course of the ves- sel's regular operating pattern linking Genoa with Porto Torres. The vessel was found to comply with the strict noise and vibration criteria laid down by RINA to ensure an especially high standard of passenger comfort. Similar investiga- tions were also undertaken on a unit of Tirrenia's high-speed ferry fleet, the 1,800-passenger Scorpio, leading to the parallel assignment of the Comfort Class status to the 43-knot vessel, which runs between Civitavecchia and Olbia. Bithia is due to be joined in February by sistership Janas. Both were constructed in the Naples Bay area, at Fincantieri's Castellammare di Stabia yard. The Tirre- nia vessels are arranged for 2,700-pas- sengers, complemented by a RoRo intake of 900-cars, or 70-trailers plus 500-cars. 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