Austal has secured its fifth passenger ferry order from Group Degage since 2002, the Aussie fast ferry specialist confirmed today.
SNC Aremiti, a subsidiary of the French Polynesian ferry operator, has awarded a AUD $30m ($23.4m) contract to design and build a new 49-metre high-speed passenger catamaran ferry.
Austal said it has already built two 69-metre monohull cruise ships, a 56-metre vehicle passenger catamaran ferry and an 80-metre vehicle passenger catamaran ferry for Groupe Degage.
"This contract not only continues a successful relationship between Austal and SNC Aremiti but further confirms the company’s leadership position in the international high-speed ferry market,” Austal chief executive David Singleton said.
The latest newbuild will feature seating for 620 passengers and garage space for up to 30 motorbikes, small vehicles and cargo.
It will have a top speed of 36 knots and will be fitted with Austal’s Ride Control System to improve seakeeping and passenger comfort on the French Polynesia's Papeete Moorea route, Austal said.
The vessel will be designed in Australia and construction will begin next year at Austal Philippines shipyard, with delivery set for July 2019.
Austal said it has added eight new vessels worth more than AUD 380m to its order book in the past year, including two 117-metre trimarans and a 109-metre catamaran.
The company also recently signed a memorandum of understanding with JR Kyushu of Japan for an 80-metre trimaran.
