Medium speed Austal catamaran for Tahiti

Austal CEO Andrew Bellamy said he was happy to be welcoming Aremiti back as a customer and said the contract provided further evidence that the company’s strategy was working.

“Austal has identified medium speed ferries and wind farm vessels as areas where we can apply our skills to create growth within the business. These two new orders show that our strategy of continuing to apply and expand our portfolio of intellectual property through product development and research is paying dividends,” said Mr Bellamy. “It is helping us to build upon our very substantial defence shipbuilding order book by securing orders from the commercial vessel sector.”

With a fully loaded speed of 20 knots, the ferry is designed for efficiency and advantageous operating costs rather than outright speed.

It will be powered by four MTU 16V 4000 M53R engines coupled to fixed pitch propellers. Four rudders and twin bow thrusters will provide manoeuvrability. Austal’s own ride control system, comprising forward T-foils and aft interceptors, will allow trim to be adjusted to enhance operating efficiency.

With a capacity for up to 967 passengers and up to 146 cars, or a mix of cars and trucks, the new GL-classed ferry will sail under the French flag and its design will meet EU domestic voyage rule requirements, including those for carriage of hazardous cargoes. Bow and stern ramps will allow drive-through operation, with the vehicle deck featuring hoistable mezzanine decks and 228 lane-metres suitable for trucks weighing up to 50 tonnes. Passenger seating will be provided on two decks, with catering facilities. Crew facilities include a laundry and separate crew and officers mess areas.

Austal says that this is the fourth of its vessels sold to Aremiti and its associated companies. The new ferry is expected to operate alongside an existing Austal catamaran between Tahiti and Moorea. Delivery is expected in October 2013.