Craig Clifford News

Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania is setting a record for the largest, lightweight battery electric ship in the world with a new 130-meter (427-foot) ro-pax ferry under construction for South American customer, Buquebús.The aluminum ferry will be the first fully electric vessel in South America when delivered in 2025, operating between Argentina and Uruguay. It will have a capacity for 2,100 passengers and crew and 225 cars and will feature a duty free shop of over 2,000 square meters (21…

A contract has been exchanged for the sale of Incat Australia’s 98m catamaran, hull 058, to a European customer. The purchaser is a long term Incat customer, and intends for 058 to join its two existing Incat vessels in operation for the northern European summer. Announcing the sale to staff at the Hobart shipyard, Incat Australia Managing Director, Craig Clifford said “The sale of vessel 058 has been foreshadowed for some time, and is great news for all Incat staff and supporters. The ship will be painted in the company’s colours over the next few weeks and is expected to depart Hobart for Europe in late April. The Evolution 10b design of hull 058 delivers proven technology in a vessel capable of carrying a mix of passengers and freight at speeds over 40 knots.

Incat received the award for Most Significant New Build-Fast Ferry at The Cruise and Ferry Exhibition and Conference held in London. The award was presented to builders Incat and owners Bollinger/Incat USA for the US Army Theater Support Vessel TSV-1X Spearhead at a gala dinner at the Hilton London Metropole. Shipping professionals crowned the 98 metre Spearhead as the ship most deserving of the title amidst fierce competition from other nominees, including: Austal Ships and EuroFerrys for EuroFerrys Pacifica; HDW and Superfast Ferries for the medium speed ships Superfast IX + X and Austal Ships and New World Fast Ferry for New Ferry LXXXI / LXXXII / LXXXIII.

Incat received the award for Most Significant New Build - Fast Ferry, at the biennial event for the ferry, fast ferry and cruise industry, The Cruise and Ferry Exhibition and Conference, held in London in mid-May. The award was presented to builders Incat and owners Bollinger/Incat USA for the 322-ft. U.S. Army Theater Support Vessel TSV-1X Spearhead. Incat Australia Pty Ltd. Managing Director Craig Clifford said "Incat to some extent were 'reigning champions' having also taken the Most Significant New Build - Fast Ferry award at the last Cruise & Ferry event in 2001 with the 96 m Evolution 10 Benchijigua Express for Fred. In November 2002, when Incat delivered Spearhead for service with the U.S. Army, expectations were high.