Bob Mckinnon News

Dinner Cruise Catamaran for Operation in Miami. Austal Limited announces that subsidiaries, Austal Ships and Austal USA have each secured contracts for new vessels. The new orders are a strong endorsement of the world-renowned reputation of Austal’s design and construction capabilities that cover a range of vessel types and sizes, customized to individual operational requirements. “Each contract was secured through a very competitive process and Austal’s attention to quality and the ability to deliver vessels tailored to suit the clients’ requirements has ensured our continued success. The Austal Group now has in excess of twelve vessels under construction ranging from small river catamarans to large vehicle-passenger ferries, a very positive outlook”, Mr McKinnon said.

Reflecting the its existing Austal catamarans, Hong Kong based New World First Ferry Services (Macau) Limited [“First Ferry (Macau)”] has signed its third contract with Austal Ships in two years. The latest order is for two 47.5 metre passenger catamarans that will take the total number of vessels built by Austal for the group to seven. Austal subsidiary Image Marine will shortly deliver two 41 metre harbour cruise vessels to New World First Travel Services Limited, a member of NWS Holdings Limited, and will also build the two new catamarans.

Although it has diversified into other vessel types in recent years, Western Australian based shipbuilding group Austal still counts fast ferries as a core market. The last year has been no exception, with the biggest news being the June announcement of an order for what will be the world's largest high-speed multihull vessel. Even more significant than the vessel's 126.7 m length overall is the fact that the cargo-vehicle-passenger ferry will be based on slender stabilized monohull hullform (more commonly referred to as a trimaran). While the experienced high-speed builder from down under touts the commercial value of the project, ramifications for its military aspirations, particularly with the U.S. armed forces, are clear.

Austal Limited has secured a contract for two 136 ft. passenger/cargo catamarans for ferry operator, Ofotens og Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskad ASA (OVDS) of Norway. The two new aluminium catamarans will be built by Austal subsidiary, Image Marine and are due for delivery at the end of April 2003. Austal’s managing director, Bob McKinnon said the contract was won in very competitive circumstances, including competition from local Norwegian shipyards. “This is the second contract for a Norwegian client by the Austal group and is the result of a concerted team effort by Image and Austal sales and design staff,” McKinnon said. “OVDS' preference for an Austal product and our ability to offer a fully customized vessel were major factors in securing this order. The two 136 ft.

Austal Ships has received a contract for two 136 ft. passenger/cargo catamarans for ferry operator, Ofotens og Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskad ASA (OVDS) of Norway. Designed for difficult sea and harsh weather conditions, the two new aluminium catamarans are due for delivery at the end of April 2003 and will be built by Austal subsidiary, Image Marine. Capable of carrying 216 passengers and 30 Euro pallets (12 tons of refrigerated cargo), the two vessels will operate from the Norwegian port of Bodo. Austal’s managing director, Bob McKinnon said the contract was won in very competitive circumstances, including competition from local Norwegian shipyards.

Austal USA has signed a contract with Lighthouse Fast Ferry of New York (also known as New York Fast Ferry) for the sale of the 86 ft. (26 m) passenger catamaran being built at Austal USA’s shipyard facilities in Mobile, Ala. Due for delivery in July 2002, the new catamaran will be the third vessel delivered by Austal USA within six months and follows closely the delivery of two crew/supply vessels to Otto Candies LLC in January. Austal Group Managing Director, Bob McKinnon said the sale was a great result for Austal USA and the Austal group. “We are very pleased to have finalized the first sale of a high speed ferry into the United States market,” Mr. McKinnon said.

Austal Limited shipbuilding subsidiary, Austal USA has signed a contract with Lighthouse Fast Ferry of New York (also known as New York Fast Ferry) for the sale of the 86ft. (26 m) passenger catamaran being built speculatively at Austal USA’s shipyard facilities in Mobile, Ala. Due for delivery in July 2002, the new catamaran will be the third vessel delivered by Austal USA within six months and follows closely the delivery of two crew/supply vessels to Otto Candies LLC in January. Austal’s managing director, Bob McKinnon said the sale was a great result for Austal USA and the Austal group. “We are very pleased to have finalized the first sale of a passenger catamaran into the United States market,” McKinnon said.

Austal USA has signed a contract with Cloud Nine of New York to construct a 135 ft. dinner cruise monohull. This is the second sale by Austal USA to the New York market this year and will further showcase the company’s ability to deliver a high quality, customised product. Austal’s Managing Director, Bob McKinnon said the sale of the new monohull is a strong indication of the immediate success of Austal USA in delivering vessels to the US domestic market. “We are very pleased to see that orders for Austal USA are progressing well,” McKinnon said. Cloud Nine specialise in offering private, luxury dinner cruises for social and corporate groups and have developed a large base of repeat customers.

Minister for Defense, Senator the Hon Robert Hill, announced that Austal Ships, in conjunction with joint tender partner, Defense Maritime Services (DMS), has been short-listed to design, construct and provide through-life service for the Royal Australian Navy’s new patrol boats, due to replace the existing Fremantle class patrol boats. If ultimately successful, Austal’s role in the SEA 1444 project will be the design and construction of the patrol boats, while DMS will provide logistic and maintenance support through the operational life of the vessels, in addition to training of naval crews. Austal Ships’ managing director, Bob McKinnon, said Austal’s inclusion on the short-list was a reflection of the company’s worldwide success with both commercial and military vessels.

Ferry services to Venezuela's Margarita Island will be further revolutionised with the delivery of a second 86m vehicle/passenger catamaran to Conferry. Built in Western Australia by Austal Ships, "Lilia Concepcion" will join a fleet that already includes a similar Austal fast ferry, "Carmen Ernestina", delivered in 1999. Austal's Managing Director, Mr Bob McKinnon said, "Every delivery is a special occasion for Austal, but the fact that Conferry has returned to us for this second vessel makes this delivery especially satisfying. "A repeat order from such an experienced and reputable operator is a tremendous vote of confidence in Austal and the ships we build," Mr McKinnon said.

In considering activities in the U.S. maritime industry for the short and long term, it is unwise to start the conversation without a mention of the patrol and defense needs of the country in the mounting effort to secure nearly 95,000 miles of coastline. As plans emerge during the coming weeks, months and years, the only certainty is increased funding for a variety of ships, boats and marine-borne electronic surveillance systems geared toward meeting and defeating enemy attacks, both large and small. An embodiment of the push for new technology is embodied in the activities of companies such as Larry Wieber's Aluminum Chambered Boats Inc. (ACB) in Bellingham, Wash.

Austal Limited teamed with Raytheon Australia to bid for the upcoming Australian Government tender to build two amphibious ships, which is due to be issued in early 2005. “By combining Austal’s impressive track record of on time, on budget shipbuilding with Raytheon's expertise in electronic systems, we have created a powerful team to build and support the new amphibious vessels, along with considerable potential to bid for other naval contracts in the future,” said Austal’s Managing Director, Mr Bob McKinnon. The amphibious vessel project has an indicative cost of $1.5 to $2 billion. The preferred tenderer is likely to be identified by late 2005, with in-service delivery planned between 2010 and 2014.

Austal is pleased to announce a contract for a 67 metre high speed vehicle-passenger catamaran for Virtu Ferries of Malta adding to an already healthy order book for the West Australian shipbuilder. The new vessel is scheduled for delivery to Virtu Ferries in time for the European 2005 summer season and will have the capacity to carry 600 passengers and 65 cars or 95 lane metres of trucks plus 35 cars. Commenting on the contract Austal’s Managing Director, Mr Bob McKinnon said, “This latest order for a mid-sized car ferry is particularly pleasing in that it adds another important customer to our extensive list of clients. Established in 1988 Virtu Ferries operates fast ferry services between Malta and Sicily.

Austal has delivered its latest high speed passenger catamarans to a market that did much to establish the Australian shipbuilder as a world leader in the design and construction of high speed ferries. Hong Kong based New World First Ferry Services (Macau) Limited accepted delivery of two 47.5 metre passenger catamarans at the beginning of September, taking the total number of Austal-built vessels in its fleet to seven. Officiating at the colourful Launching Ceremony at Hong Kong’s Dragon Cruise Pier and at Macau Ferry Terminal were Mr R C L Footman, JP, Commissioner for Transport of Hong Kong SAR Government and Mr Ao Man Long, Secretary for Transport and Public Works of Macau SAR Government.

Trico Marine Services, Inc., has taken delivery on the Northern Canyon, a 279-ft. UT 745 design platform supply vessel (PSV). The state-of-the-art vessel is designed to serve deepwater markets worldwide. Built in Norway, the Northern Canyon is equipped with a DP2 (dynamic positioning) system and is among the largest, most technologically advanced PSVs available in the industry. The vessel, which will be deployed initially in the North Sea, is quipped as a remotely operated vehicle vessel to perform subsea construction work globally. It has been awarded a three-year contract by Canyon-Offshore, Inc. Trico is scheduled to take delivery of a second 279-ft. PSV in September 2002. It also expects to take delivery of three new generation 155-ft.

Austal Limited subsidiary, Austal Ships, has signed a contract with Canadian Transportation Systems (C.A.T.S) for a 282 ft. (86 m) catamaran. The high-speed vessel will provide a new service route between Rochester and Toronto across Lake Ontario, connecting the United States and Canada. Austal Managing Director, Bob McKinnon said the contract has the potential to open more markets for Austal vessels in North America. “This is the first Austal vehicle-passenger ferry for North America and I am certain this vessel will make a strong impression in a market with further potential,” McKinnon said. “This contract comes at a time when the…

Austal USA has signed a contract with New York operator, Circle Line-Statue of Liberty Ferry, Inc. (Circle Line) for a 143-ft. passenger catamaran which will be the first aluminium high speed vessel for this operator and the third contract Austal USA has secured for the New York area in the last 6 months. When delivered to New York in late June 2003, it will be part of an extraordinary association between New York State and the Austal Group with the 136-ft. Cloud Nine dinner cruise vessel being delivered by Austal USA in the previous month and the delivery the following month of a 280-ft. High Speed Catamaran into Rochester, NY by Austal Ships of Australia.

Australian shipbuilder Austal Ships will design and build the world’s most powerful diesel-powered catamaran for Canadian American Transportation Systems (CATS). The contract represents a major milestone for the Austal Group in the North American market. With a speed of 42 knots, the 86 metre vehicle-passenger ferry will be the first of its type on the Great Lakes. It will operate on Lake Ontario between the cities of Rochester in New York State, USA and Toronto in Canada, with a voyage time of two hours and 15 minutes. Austal’s Managing Director, Mr Bob McKinnon, said the contract is a vital step forward in maintaining Austal’s share of the fast ferry market.

The U.S. a preliminary design for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). teams that was down-selected in the competition to build the first two ships of this class. Dynamics-Bath Iron Works. on Austal’s unique 126 meter high-speed aluminum trimaran hullform. the global military vessel market. project,” Mr. McKinnon said. appropriate choice for ships, even in combat roles. defense contracts,” he said. solution for the Navy’s LCS requirements. Mr. a variety of defense applications. two builders, one or both of whom will build the first two ships. construction in early 2005 and the other in early 2006. construction of three ships in 2008 and four in 2009. The Navy predicts that up to 60 Littoral Combat Ships may eventually be required.

Austal has announced that it has secured an order for three Coast Guard vessels from the Government of Kuwait, Ministry of Interior. The trio of 22 metre aluminium monohulls will be built by Austal subsidiary, Image Marine and are due for delivery by early 2004. Austal Managing Director, Mr Bob McKinnon, said the contract was won against stiff international competition as part of a global tender process, and demonstrated the company’s ability to penetrate new markets. “Securing this contract with the Kuwait Coast Guard, together with our short-listing for the Royal Australian Navy patrol boat project, shows that there is considerable potential for Austal in this market,” he said.

Australian shipbuilder Austal Ships is pleased to announce an unconditional contract for a 66 metre high speed vehicle-passenger catamaran for a well-established ferry operator. This is the customer’s first contract with Austal and brings the total number of vessels under construction for the Austal group to 16. Due for delivery in August 2003, the Auto Express 66 will operate at a speed of approximately 31 knots and will have the capacity to carry 450 passengers and 69 cars or 110 lane metres of trucks plus 37 cars. Austal Ships also has an 86 metre vehicle-passenger catamaran ferry available for delivery in June / July 2003. Capable of loaded speeds in excess of 42 knots, this vessel provides capacity for 774 passengers and 238 cars or 10 trucks and fewer cars.

Austal USA has secured an order for the construction of a 192-ft. vehicle-passenger ferry from Milwaukee-based Lake Express LLC. The aluminum catamaran will be the largest vessel so far constructed at the company’s purpose-built shipyard in Mobile, Ala. · The first high-speed vehicle-passenger ferry to operate on Lake Michigan. With capacity for 253 passengers and 46 cars, the Auto Express 58 will be capable of 34 knots. It will link the cities of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Muskegon in Michigan, crossing Lake Michigan in just over two hours, thus saving passengers a lengthy drive around the southern shore of Lake Michigan, including traffic congestion in Chicago. The service is scheduled to begin by the summer of 2004.

Australian shipbuilder Austal Ships and European ferry operator Fred. Olsen, S.A. are delighted to announce the signing of an historic contract for the world’s largest high-speed multihull vessel which will be based on a new hullform. When delivered in the second half of 2004, the 126.7 metre cargo-vehicle-passenger fast ferry will also be larger than any existing diesel-powered fast ferry – catamaran or monohull. It is also believed to be the world’s largest all-aluminium ship. Confirmation of the order demonstrates both companies’ leadership in the global fast ship industry and is the outcome of a collaboration, involving more than three years of research and development effort, to produce the new design.