Austal Limited announced that long-standing client and French Polynesia’s leading commercial ferry operator, SNC Aremiti (part of the Groupe Degage), has awarded a AU$30 million contract to Austal to design and build a new 49-meter high-speed passenger catamaran ferry.
This will be the 5th vessel Austal has delivered to French Polynesia since 2002. Austal has previously designed, and built 4 vessels for the Groupe Degage comprising two 69-meter monohull cruise ships, a 56-meter vehicle passenger catamaran ferry, and an 80-meter vehicle passenger catamaran ferry.
”This contract not only continues a successful relationship between Austal and SNC Aremiti but further confirms the company’s leadership position in the international high-speed ferry market” Austal CEO, David Singleton said.
“Austal has always been an export-focused company. We have sold ships to every corner of the globe this year including Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Norway, the Canary Islands, and now Tahiti. I am confident that we will continue to build on the success of 2017 for an even better 2018” Mr Singleton added.
“Austal is at heart an advanced technology company and this next generation high-speed passenger ferry demonstrates SNC Aremiti’s endorsement of our innovative ship design and internationally competitive, high quality construction,” Mr Singleton said.
“This order from SNC Aremiti caps off an incredibly successful year for our international commercial ferry business. We have added 8 new vessels, worth more than AU$380 million, to our order book in the past 12 months, including 2 trimarans of 117-meters in length and a 109-meter catamaran. We also recently signed an MOU with JR Kyushu of Japan for an 80-meter trimaran.” said Austal VP Sales & Marketing, Ben Marland.
This Austal design features seating capacity for 620 passengers and garage space for up to 30 motorbikes, small vehicles and cargo. With a top speed of 36 knots it will be fitted with Austal’s Ride Control System to improve seakeeping, and provide greater passenger comfort on the Papeete – Moorea route in French Polynesia.
The vessel will be designed in Australia and construction of the vessel will commence at Austal Philippines during 2018, with delivery scheduled for July 2019.
Austal is an Australian shipbuilder and global defense prime contractor which designs, constructs and sustains some of the world’s most advanced commercial and defense vessels.
Austal successfully balances commercial and defense projects and celebrates 30 years of success in 2018. Austal has designed, constructed and delivered more than 300 commercial and defense vessels for more than 100 operators in 54 countries worldwide.
Austal is Australia’s largest defense exporter and the only ASX-listed shipbuilder. Austal has industry leading shipyards in Australia, the United States of America and Philippines and service centres worldwide.
Austal delivers iconic monohull, catamaran and trimaran commercial vessel platforms – including the world’s largest trimaran ferry and multiple defense programs such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) for the United States Navy. Austal has grown to become the world’s largest aluminium shipbuilder.