Oliver Design, which specialises in naval design and architecture, recently completed upgrading of the Ciudad de Ibiza in record time for Trasmediterránea. The project involved fitting out more than 1,000 square metres of interior spaces in just 20 days while the ship was en route from the Caribbean to Algeciras, a major logistical challenge in terms of coordinating the different work involved.
In order to minimise downtime at port, operators from Oliver Design spent ten days working on board the vessel during the crossing from Trinidad & Tobago to Spain. In recent years, the ship had been providing a passenger and wheeled cargo service between the capital of the Caribbean state, Port of Spain and the country’s second island. Built in 2003 at the Barreras shipyards in Vigo and initially named the Super-Fast Galicia, the vessel was acquired by Trasmediterránea in 2005. The 160-metre roro ferry with a beam of 24 metres, can carry 219 passengers and 45 automobiles. It has a loading capacity of 1,715 lane metres, and since 19 June has been operating between Valencia and Ibiza.
On completion of the Atlantic voyage, staff from Oliver Design completed the refurbishment in another fifteen days at the Gibdcock Shipyards in Gibraltar. The work affected more than one thousand square metres of interiors, including refitting of the self-service restaurant and an upgrade on the bar, renovation of a lounge on Deck 8 with a capacity for 95 passengers, as well as refitting of the reception area and stairs, 29 interior and exterior cabins and the adjoining corridor, as well as reconditioning of the public toilets and the crew lounge, including installation of a new service lift.
Oliver Design's work included removal of existing elements and installation of new floors, baseboards and bulkheads adapted to the different spaces; repair and conditioning of windows; painting of ceilings and installation of LED lighting; decoration of panels, cladding and upholstery; fitting of new furniture and curtains in the different areas, catering equipment for the bar and self-service restaurant and new TV screens.
In addition to renovation of the Ciudad de Ibiza, Oliver Design recently completed work on four other Trasmediterránea vessels: partial renovation of the Juan J. Sister and comprehensive renovation of two twin super ferries, the Fortuny and the Sorolla, as well as fitting-out of the VIP lounge on the Zurbaran.
The company has now successfully positioned itself as a key player in services to the ferry sector. Other recent contracts included designing and fitting out interiors on the Texelstroom, the innovating vessel built at the La Naval yard for Dutch shipowner TESO; partial renovation and miscellaneous repair work for the Brittany Ferries fleet and design of Balearia's 232-metre ferry to be built at La Naval in Sestao. With 336 cabins and seating for 609, the ship will have capacity for 1,600 passengers and 350 vehicles. As well as undertaking architectural design, the Spanish firm will also design the interiors, and has been awarded a turnkey contract for fitting out all public spaces and exterior passenger areas.