Bora Bora News

Austal Vietnam has delivered a new high-speed catamaran to the Degage Group of French Polynesia. The 66-meter Apetahi Express completed a series of sea trials off the coast of Vung Tau in May 2023 and is now preparing for its maiden voyage to French Polynesia. The ferry is anticipated to commence operations between Pape’ete (Tahiti) and Vaitape (Bora Bora) in French Polynesia in July 2023.The new Austal Passenger Express 66 catamaran features a length overall (LOA) of 66.4 meters, beam of 15.2 meters and draft of 1.8 meters.

Shipbuilder Austal Vietnam announced Wednesday that it has launched a new high-speed catamaran built at the company’s shipyard in Vung Tau for the Degage Group of French Polynesia.The 66-meter Apetahi Express is undergoing final fit-out, prior to sea trials which are due to commence in May. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in June 2023. The new ferry is anticipated to commence operations between Pape’ete (Tahiti) and Vaitape (Bora Bora) in French Polynesia in July 2023.Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said…

The Austal shipyard in Vietnam has ordered 4 × 16V175D-MM engines, delivering 2,720 kW at 1,800 rpm for water-jet propulsion, in connection with the building of a high-speed catamaran ferry for customer, the Degage Group. The 66-meter, 574-passenger ferry is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2023 and will operate as the Apetahi Express between Pape’ete (Tahiti) and Vaitape (Bora Bora) in French Polynesia. The new ferry will have a contracted top speed of 35.8 knots and a range of 360 nautical miles.Tuanua Degage…

Australian shipbuilder Austal has been awarded a €20.5 million ( around USD 24 million) contract to design and build a 66-meter high-speed catamaran ferry for repeat client The Degage Group of French Polynesia.The new Austal ‘Passenger Express 66’ catamaran features a length overall (LOA) of 66.4 meters, beam of 15.2 meters, and draft of 1.8 meters. Over two passenger decks, the vessel will be able to accommodate 574 passengers, with an additional 80 seats available on an external sun deck. Crew accommodation includes 7 two-berth cabins and 2 single-berth cabins.

Aranui 5, a cruise ship / container ship hybrid, will make its maiden voyage from Tahiti to the Marquesas Islands in the South Pacific Ocean at the end of November 2015. The Aranui 5 is replacing its predecessor, the Aranui 3 on a dual mission to bring travelers and commodities to the Marquesas Islands, the remotest archipelago in the world. The Aranui 5 will complete a circuit of 2,200 miles leaving from Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, and traveling to all six inhabited islands in the Marquesas chain. Making it into the archipelago alone takes over three day’s sea journey. With a total length of 126m, featuring air-conditioning and lifts…

1864 - Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley sinks USS Housatonic    1942 - First Construction Battalion (Seabees) arrive Bora Bora   1944 - Carrier aircraft strike Japanese fleet at Truk, sinking ships and destroying aircraft   (Source: Navy News Service)

1864 - Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley sinks USS Housatonic 1942 - First Construction Battalion (Seabees) arrive Bora Bora 1944 - Carrier aircraft strike Japanese fleet at Truk, sinking ships and destroying aircraft (Source: Navy News Service)

1864 - Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley sinks USS Housatonic 1942 - First Construction Battalion (Seabees) arrive Bora Bora 1944 - Carrier aircraft strike Japanese fleet at Truk, sinking ships and destroying aircraft (Source: Navy News Source)

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) -- the organization tasked with helping the world's cruise lines promote their ships -- reported cruise shipping fleet growth in 2002/03. In a year-end report the organization noted that 14 new vessels -- as well as three re-launched ships and several others introduced in late 2002 but having their inaugural sailing seasons in the new year -- will make 2003 another record year in the cruise industry. Bora Bora Cruises: The 226-foot, 2,677-ton, Tia Moana and Tu Moana are scheduled to begin sailing in the South Pacific in June. The ships are designed to sail to the heart of the Tahitian lagoons. Carnival Cruise Lines: The 110,000-ton, 2,974-passenger Carnival Glory launches year-round seven-day Caribbean service from Port Canaveral July 19.

Austal Ships has reported that a pair of cruise yachts ordered by Bora Bora Cruises of Tahiti are in the final stages of fitout at its modern shipyard south of Perth, Western Australia. “Tu Moana” and “Tia Moana” (meaning ‘strong on the ocean’ and ‘sure and stable on the ocean’) each provide 74 passenger berths in 37 outside cabins. The two cruise yachts will feature a high degree of comfort and luxury with a modern design inspired by Tahitian traditional art and incorporating the European touch of Tillberg Designs. Onboard features include a restaurant and galley catering for all passengers in a single sitting, gymnasium, library, indoor and outdoor lounges, two jacuzzis, an expansive sun deck and a host of watersports equipment, with easy access to the water.

Austal Limited announced that subsidiary Austal Ships has secured a contract for two 226-ft. (69-m) ‘boutique’ cruise ships for operation in French Polynesia. The new order, with a combined contract value of approximately $27.8 million, increases Austal’s total value of vessels under construction or on order to over $202 million. Austal’s managing director, Bob McKinnon said the new contract further highlighted the success of Austal’s diversification strategy, with secured footholds in the luxury, passenger and vehicle ferry, military/defense and tourism markets. The ‘boutique’ cruise ships, which were ordered by Bora Bora Cruises of Tahiti, will be monohull design.

Austal has secured a contract for two 226 ft. ‘boutique’ cruise ships for operation in French Polynesia. Ordered by Bora Bora Cruises of Tahiti, the ‘boutique cruise ships will be monohull design. Tu Moana and Tia Moana, meaning strong on the ocean and sure and stable on the ocean, will accommodate 78 passengers each in 37 cabins and will provice luxury cruises between the islands of Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora Bora at a cruising speed of 14 knots. Due for delivery in early 2003, the cruise ships will feature a four star hotel standard in passenger areas and will be fitted to a high combination of double and twin share cabins, lounge and restaurant areas, a pool/spa and an array of water sports equipment.