Aulong Secures Ferry Build Contract

 

Aulong has been awarded a A$5.6 million (US$4.4 million) contract to design and build a 35-meter high speed catamaran for Chinese mainland ferry operator, Blue Sea Jet.

 

Announcing the contract in Australia, Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said the company’s strong reputation has again secured export business for Austal’s Australian based design team.

 

“Our Aulong joint venture is a great example of how effective technology transfer is developing our export business, with Austal’s extensive commercial portfolio attracting existing and new customers in mainland China,” Singleton said.

 

“These contracts in China are creating additional opportunities for our Australian based design and production teams who support the construction of vessels in-country.

 

“Our shipbuilding team’s expertise and capability continues to grow here in Australia as we win new commercial contracts in China and throughout the world.” Singleton added.

 

The new, all-aluminum ferry will carry up to 260 passengers at speeds in excess of 26 knots.

 

Construction will commence from Aulong’s Zhongshan shipyard in Guandong Province in September 2017, following the launch of the joint ventures’ first vessel construction; a 42 meter passenger ferry also for Blue Sea Jet, later this month.

 

The Aulong joint venture was established in June 2016 to pursue commercial passenger and nonmilitary vessel opportunities in China.

 

Austal (with 40 percent ownership) has licensed a number of its commercial aluminum vessel designs for marketing throughout mainland China and construction at Jianglong Shipbuilding’s facilities in Guangdong province. Jianglong Shipbuilding (with 60 percent ownership) brings local shipbuilding infrastructure, experience and expertise, with close to 1,000 employees across two shipyards supporting the joint venture.