In 1998, Austal delivered the Jade Express followed closely by the delivery in 1999 of the Opale Express. These vehicle/passenger ferries were destined for Guadeloupe, in the French West Indies, and island ferry operator Antilles Trans Express (ATE). It was in 2001 when the then manager, Dr Roland Bellemare and ship captain, Bruno Moeson decided to buy the company from Groupe Bourbon who owned ATE, giving rise to L’Express des Iles S.A. or The Islands Express. Today the L’Express des Iles ferries operate regular domestic and international services between the harbours of Guadeloupe, Marie-Galante, Le Saintes, Dominica, Martinique and Sainte-Lucia. It was soon after the 2001 management buy-out that discussions first began for the new ferries.