Austal has secured its first commercial vessel contract from Taiwan, the fast ferry specialist has confirmed.
Taiwan’s Brave Line has ordered two 50 metre high speed catamarans at a total cost of AUD 44m ($35m) with an option for a third vessel.
The vessels will be designed in Australia by Austal and will be built at its shipyard in the Philippines.
“Some 80% of the ships we build are for export with the design work centered at our Henderson facility,” said Austal chief executive David Singleton.
“Our 100-plus strong design team, the largest in Australia, are continuing to produce sophisticated designs that deliver against challenging customer requirements.
“Austal has previously indicated continuing strength in the worldwide ferry industry and this adds to our recent record run of sales achieved over the last 18 months.”
Late last month Austal put pen to paper on a catamaran newbuilding order for Oslo-listed ferry company Fjord Line worth AUD 108m.
Its shipbuilding operation in the Philippines has also recently secured its fifth ferry newbuilding order in less than 12 months.
VS Ferries Corporation of Samar awarded an AUD 5.5m contract for a 30 metre cataraman which is due for delivery next August.
