Transtejo Soflusa "Cegonha-Branca" – Astilleros Gondán


Electric ferry operated by Transtejo Soflusa seen on the Tejo River in February 2024. This electric ferry of the catamaran type, named "Cegonha-Branca" and registered PT-111767-TL, is built in Spain by Astilleros Gondán ¹ and completed in 2022 with yard number 493. Glass-reinforced plastic hull and superstructure. It has an overall length of 131.2 ft and can accommodate 544 passengers (544+?). It uses two 550 kW (748 hp) ² electric main engines (motors?) fed by a 1860 kWh Corvus Dolphin Energy NxtGen energy storage system ³, rechargeable during docking by Zinus fast charging stations (or towers) installed on the piers of the Cacilhas, Cais do Sodré, Montijo and Seixal terminals. Fixed pitch propellers. Top speed is 17 knots. Its class will include 10 vessels progressively introduced into service until 2025. 

Based in Lisboa, Transtejo Soflusa ⁴ operates regular services and occasional services in the estuary of the Tejo River. Here, we see the "Cegonha-Branca", either on trials or in crew formation. The name "Cegonha-Branca" ⁵ pays tribute to this large bird, a familiar presence in the estuary of the Tejo River. ●


Ferry eléctrico operado pela Transtejo Soflusa visto no Rio Tejo em Fevereiro de 2024. Este ferry eléctrico do tipo catamaran, com o nome de "Cegonha-Branca" e registado PT-111767-TL, é construído em Espanha pelos Astilleros Gondán ¹ e completado em 2022 com o número de construção 493. Casco e superestrutura em plástico reforçado com fibra de vidro. Possui um comprimento total de 40 m e pode acomodar 544 passageiros (544+?). Utiliza duas máquinas principais de 550 kW (748 hp) ² alimentadas por um sistema de armazenamento de energia Corvus Dolphin Energy NxtGen de 1860 kWh ³, recarregável durante as acostagens por estações (ou torres) de carregamento rápido Zinus instaladas nos pontões dos terminais de Cacilhas, Cais do Sodré, Montijo e Seixal. Hélices de passo fixo. A velocidade máxima é de 17 nós. A sua classe vai incluir 10 embarcações progressivamente introduzidas em serviço até 2025.

Baseada em Lisboa, a Transtejo Soflusa ⁴ opera serviços regulares e serviços ocasionais no estuário do Rio Tejo. Aqui, vemos o "Cegonha-Branca" em ensaios ou em formação de tripulações. O nome "Cegonha-Branca" ⁵ presta tributo a esta ave de grande porte, uma presença familiar no estuário do Rio Tejo. ●


¹  "Astilleros Gondán", Castropol, Spain
²  2× 550 kW (748 hp) = 1100 kW (1496 hp)
³  Energy storage system for marine applications with a modular design and reduced weight, configured according to the available space. ● Sistema de armazenamento de energia para aplicações marítimas de concepção modular e peso reduzido, configurado de acordo com o espaço disponível. 
⁴  "TTSL – Transtejo Soflusa" ("Transtejo, S.A." and "Soflusa – Sociedade Fluvial de Transportes, S.A.")
⁵  Consoante os documentos, o nome "Cegonha-Branca" surge grafado com ou sem hífen. Pessoalmente, adopto a forma hifenizada divulgada pelo operador, a única válida para fins documentais e que coincide com a tradicionalmente utilizada no contexto da zoologia. Todavia, existem autores e entidades que em diversas situações preferem e defendem a opção de grafar este nome (assim como outros de natureza semelhante) sem hífen. Para todos os efeitos, um interessante debate, como se pode verificar aqui ou aqui.


Transtejo Softlusa "Cegonha-Branca" Class  

Based in Lisboa, Transtejo Softlusa operates regular services and occasional services in the estuary of the Tejo River. ●

Name

Registration

OL/TS

Built

Cegonha-Branca

IMO 9936501

40,12 m

17 kn

Astilleros Gondán (Castropol, Spain)

2022

#493

Garça-Vermelha

IMO 9955870

40,12 m

17 kn

Astilleros Gondán (Castropol, Spain)

2023

#494

Flamingo-Rosa

IMO 9956367

40,12 m

17 kn

Astilleros Gondán (Castropol, Spain)

2023

#495 

Ibis-Preto

IMO 9956379

40,12 m

17 kn

Astilleros Gondán (Castropol, Spain)

2024

#496 

Tarambola-Dourada

IMO 9956381

40,12 m

17 kn

Astilleros Gondán (Castropol, Spain)

2024

#497

Milhafre-Preto

IMO 9975985

40,12 m

17 kn

Astilleros Gondán (Castropol, Spain)

2025

#498

Perna-Verde

IMO 9975997

40,12 m

17 kn

Astilleros Gondán (Castropol, Spain)

2025

#499

Alvéola-Amarela

IMO 9976006

40,12 m

17 kn

Astilleros Gondán (Castropol, Spain)

2025

#500

Trepadeira-Azul

IMO 9976018

40,12 m

17 kn

Astilleros Gondán (Castropol, Spain)

2025

#501

Peneireiro-Cinzento

IMO 9976020

40,12 m

17 kn

Astilleros Gondán (Castropol, Spain)

2025

#502



Meet the Cegonha-Branca! (White Stork, Ciconia ciconia)




«With its black and white plumage and red beak, this unmistakable bird can be observed in both aquatic areas and dry terrain. It builds large nests in trees, cliffs, buildings, posts, or other structures.» Image and text courtesy of Transtejo Soflusa. ●

«De tonalidade branca e preta e bico vermelho, esta ave inconfundível pode ser observada tanto em zonas aquáticas como em terrenos secos. Constrói grandes ninhos em árvores, falésias, edifícios, postes ou outras estruturas.» Imagem e texto cortesia Transtejo Soflusa. ●


References 

Wikipedia | "Transtejo & Soflusa" 
Wikipedia | "Transtejo & Soflusa" pt-PT
Wikipedia | "Astilleros Gondán"
Astilleros Gondán | "Cegonha Branca" data sheet
ShipSpotting | "Cegonha-Branca" n/a
Wikipedia | "Ferry" 
Wikipedia | "Catamaran" 
Wikipedia | "Fiberglass"
Wikipedia | "Lisboa"
Wikipedia | "Lisboa" pt-PT
Wikipedia | "White stork" 
Wikipedia | "Cegonha-branca" pt-PT

1 kg → 2.205 lb avdp 
1 t (metric) – 2204.623 pound (lb) (avdp) 
1 kW → 1,360 hp (metric/PS)
1 kW → 1,341 hp
1 hp (metric/PS) → 0,986 hp
1 km → 0,621 mile (international)
1 m → 3.281 ft 
1 nautical mile → 1.15078  mile → 1,852 km
1 kn or knot → 1.15078 mph → 1,852 km


● Check it out here, Transtejo Soflusa electric ferries "Milhafre-Preto" and "Flamingo-Rosa" seen on the Tejo River, in Cacilhas, Portugal, in July 2026. With temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, it was time to stop for a while by the river to cool off watching the ferries arriving and departing. Video retrieved from Paulo Santos. Spoiler alert—just enjoying simple moments. 
















Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BBÖ DT 1.07 – WLF

Image
Steam railcar formerly operated by BBÖ ¹ seen at the premises of the Railway Museum of the Slovak Republic in Bratislava in June 2009. This steam railcar with fleet number DT 1.07 is built by the Wiener Lokomotivfabrik Floridsdorf in 1935, construction number 3081, included in a series of 20 units placed in service by the Bundesbahnen Österreich in 1935–1937. Overall length (buffers) is 36.7 ft. It has a total heating surface of 63.9 m² (inc. superheater, 21.4 m²) and a grate area of 0,8 m². Two cylinders (⌀ 290x570 mm) transmit motion to four driving wheels (⌀ 57.1 in). Weight in service is 44,8 t. Wheelset arrangement is 2-4-2T or 1'B1' h2t ² and gauge is 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in. Top speed is approximately 62 mph. This railcar features a luggage space of approximately 4.40 m² and—I presume—normally provided service combined with passenger cars.  Sometimes, certain operational needs generate very peculiar vehicles. This BBÖ DT 1 series steam railcar ( DT , from " D ampf t ri...
Read more

Bastian Bus 58 – Irizar i6S

Image
Coach operated by Bastian Bus seen at Gare do Oriente, Lisboa, in June 2019. This coach with fleet number 58 is an Irizar i6S registered in 2018. It can accommodate 55 passengers (55+1+1) and uses a Scania K410EB 4x2 chassis with the 302 kW (410 hp) Scania DC13 engine. Based in Madrid , Bastian Bus operates occasional services. Here, we see this Irizar i6S assigned to PGS Travel Group services waiting for its passengers, before heading to Sevilla. ● Autocarro operado pela Bastian Bus visto na Gare do Oriente, Lisboa, em Junho de 2019. Este autocarro com o número de frota 58 é um Irizar i6S registado em 2018. Pode acomodar 55 passageiros (55+1+1) e utiliza um chassis Scania K410EB 4x2 com o motor Scania DC13 de 302 kW (410 hp). Baseada em Madrid , a Bastian Bus, opera serviços ocasionais. Aqui, vemos este Irizar i6S destacado para serviços do PGS Travel Group a aguardar pelos seus passageiros, antes de se dirigir para Sevilla. ●
Read more

HIPPOtrip 12 – CAMI Hydra-Terra

Image
Amphibious bus operated by HIPPOtrip seen at the Porto de Lisboa in January 2018. This amphibious bus with fleet number 12 is a CAMI Hydra-Terra registered in 2013, as 66-NV-77 ¹ and LX-484-AL HIPPOtrip Mar ². It has an overall length of 36.1 ft and can accommodate 37 passengers (37+1+1). This CAMI Hydra-Terra combines an aluminum hull, filled with foam, with Mercedes-Benz mechanical components, including the 175 kW (238 hp) OM 906 LA engine. CAMI, or Cool Amphibious Manufacturers International, also manufactures other specialized models, including the Amphibious Responder, a state-of-the-art search and rescue amphibious vehicle. Based in Lisboa, HIPPOtrip operates regular specialized services and occasional services. The HIPPOtrip Tour lasts about 90 minutes and combines the ride through the streets of Lisboa with a refreshing plunge into the Tejo River. Here, we see this CAMI Hydra-Terra next to the cruise ship AIDAblue , in an occasional service. ● Autocarro anfíbio operado p...
Read more