Francisco in Buenos Aires
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History | |
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Uruguay | |
Name | HSC Francisco |
Namesake | Pope Francis, first Argentine Pope |
Owner | 2013-present : Buquebus |
Route | Buenos Aires—Montevideo |
Builder | Incat, Hobart, Tasmania |
Yard number | 69 |
Launched | 17 November 2012 |
In service | 2013 |
Homeport | Montevideo, Uruguay |
Identification |
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Status | In service |
General characteristics | |
Tonnage | 7,109 GT; Summer DWT: 500 t; 1,516 tonnes of displacement[1] |
Length | 99 m |
Beam | 26.48 m |
Installed power | 6 Caterpillar C18 generators for onboard power + 2 Caterpillar C9 generators for main engine services |
Propulsion | 2 General Electric LM2500 rated at 22 MW each[2] driving 2 Wärtsilä LJX1720 SR Waterjets |
Speed | 58 knots (67 mph; 107 km/h) |
Capacity |
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HSC Francisco is a high-speed catamaran built by Incat in Hobart, Tasmania. Powered by liquefied natural gas,[4] she is currently the fastest passenger ship in service, reaching a speed of 58 knots (107 km/h; 67 mph). Propulsion is by two GE LM2500 gas turbines, coupled with two Wärtsilä water-jets.
The catamaran is owned and operated by Argentine-Uruguayan ferry company Buquebus. Francisco plies the 146-nautical-mile (270 km; 168 mi) sea route between Buenos Aires and Montevideo,[5] in around two hours and 45 minutes.
HSC Francisco is named after Pope Francis.