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Austal Ships Of Australia News

14 Jan 2004

Feature: Passenger Vessels : What's in Store in 2004?

The passenger vessel market is a classic mature marine market. Segments of it are doing well, while other parts have literally died. For example, the overnight segment of the market saw one substantial vessel delivered in 2003 with none on the horizon for 2004. The Empress of the North, a 360-ft. sternwheeler was put into service in September working the West Coast-Alaska route. Now that ice is a problem in Alaska, the vessel is working the Columbia River system in the Northwest U.S. The vessel was the largest vessel ever built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Freeland, Wash. and is owned by American West Steamboat Company, Portland, Ore. Developing overnight service is the most difficult part of the passenger vessel industry to get established.

04 Jun 2004

Emerging from Fog

The various segments of the passenger vessel industry have undergone significant transformation in the last 12 months. It looks stronger as we head into the last six months of the year with ferries and charter yachts leading the way. Frankly, a year ago the passenger vessel industry was in some disarray faced with developing a security plan to meet the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 passed in Congress in wake of terrorism threats. Developing such a comprehensive plan by the end of 2003 proved to be an almost impossible task for an industry made up of mostly small boat owners. Coming to the rescue was the industry's trade association the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA). They developed the PVA Industry Standard for Security of Passenger Vessels and Small Passenger Vessels.

21 Dec 2001

AUSTAL USA Launch First Two Vessels

Within a busy 18 day period, Austal USA have launched their first two vessels, Anapaula and Veronica from the new, high-tech facility in Mobile, Ala. The 120 man workforce watched with pride as on December 2 and then December 20 each of the vessels made its way onto the launch barge supplied by part owner, Bender Shipbuilding and then on to a dry-dock for floating off. The Austal USA team who have produced these two vessels in just 8 months in the large construction hall on the edge of the Mobile river. These vessels are also the first of a new range of crew boats designed by Austal Ships of Australia which vary in length from 135ft. up to 170ft. While alongside, these vessels will be commissioned followed by sea trials which are already underway for Anapaula, the first to be launched.

21 Dec 2001

AUSTAL USA Launch First Two Vessels

Within a busy 18 day period, Austal USA have launched their first two vessels, Anapaula and Veronica from the new, high-tech facility in Mobile, Ala. The 120 man workforce watched with pride as on December 2 and then December 20 each of the vessels made its way onto the launch barge supplied by part owner, Bender Shipbuilding and then on to a dry-dock for floating off. The Austal USA team who have produced these two vessels in just 8 months in the large construction hall on the edge of the Mobile river. These vessels are also the first of a new range of crew boats designed by Austal Ships of Australia which vary in length from 135ft. up to 170ft. While alongside, these vessels will be commissioned followed by sea trials which are already underway for Anapaula, the first to be launched.

11 Jan 2005

A Market that has Rediscovered its Rudder

The year 2004 was a watershed year for the passenger vessel industry. The first two American flagged fast passenger and vehicle ferries went into service and equally important was that business was up in all sectors of the marketplace. There is more variety as well. For the first time in several years, new casino boats are being built. One is for an operator in Michigan City, Indiana, a vessel being built at Chicago Bridge & Iron as a replacement boat for a vessel now almost 10 years old. A second is for the Lake Charles, La. Subsidiary of Pinnacle Entertainment, a Las Vegas-based gaming company. This is a 330-ft. by 225-ft. powered barge built by Leevac Shipyards, Jennings, La.

30 Sep 2002

Austal to Build Circle Line’s First High Speed Vessel

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.

09 Dec 2002

Austal Ships Secures Ferry Order

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.

15 May 2003

Feature: Leaving Home

For many years the fortunes of the Great Lakes-based shipbuilders and naval architects was based solidly on the building level of the owners who were also based on the 94,000 sq. mi. of water that makes up the five Great Lakes. That is no longer as true a statement as it once was. While there are many projects in this area designed and build by Great Lakes firms for owners in the area, an impressive number of significant commercial market projects as varied as Staten Island, New York ferries and Gulf of Mexico crew/supply boats were designed and or built on the Great Lakes. The Kennedy Class of double ended auto/passenger ferries is one of the most recognizable images of New York City. Every weeknight millions of people see one during the opening of the David Letterman Show.