Austal Confirms Fjord Line Order for Catamaran Ferry

 

The all-aluminium catamaran, designed by Austal Australia, will be the eighth large high-speed commercial ferry (over 100 meters in length) to be built by the company.

 

“This valuable export contract will create outstanding opportunities for our design, production and project management teams here in Australia,” said Austal Chief Executive Officer, David Singleton. “This significant new project also offers new export opportunities for our supply chain partners and thereby ultimately contribute to Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding capability.”

 

The high-speed commercial ferry will transport 1,200 passengers at up to 40 knots and features the company’s largest ever vehicle-carrying capacity; with a beam of 30.5 meters enabling 404 cars to be carried across two decks.

 

Austal said the new vessel encompasses several key design innovations that enhance operating performance and passenger comfort, including a new, optimized hull form that will minimize fuel consumption and wake wash when operating on the Skagerrak Sea between Hirtshals, Denmark and Kristiansand, Norway.

 

The vessel will feature a business class lounge for up to 184 passengers, a large (250m2) duty free shop, two bistros, two bars and children’s play area.

 

Fjord Line’s latest addition will join their fleet of four commercial passenger ferries operating in the Scandinavian region following delivery from Austal’s Australian shipyard in January 2020.

 

With another 109 meter high-speed vehicle passenger ferry (for Molslinjen of Denmark) currently under construction at the Australian shipyard and a 56 meter high speed passenger ferry (for FRS of Germany) under construction in the Philippines, Austal’s commercial vessel portfolio continues to expand. Pursuing a robust commercial ferry sales pipeline, at its highest level in a decade, Austal said it anticipates additional export orders throughout the remainder of FY2017-18.