New Passenger Ferry Contract From Snc Aremiti Celebrates Austal’s Fifth Vessel For French Polynesia

Austal Limited (ASX:ASB) today announced that long-standing client and French Polynesia’s leading commercial ferry operator, SNC Aremiti (part of the Groupe Degage), has awarded a AU$30 million contract to Austal to design and build a new 49 metre high-speed passenger catamaran ferry.

This will be the fifth vessel Austal has delivered to French Polynesia since 2002. Austal has previously designed and built four vessels for the Groupe Degage comprising two 69 metre monohull cruise ships, a 56 metre vehicle passenger catamaran ferry, and an 80 metre vehicle passenger catamaran ferry.

Credits: austal.com

”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 CEO, David Singleton said.

“Austal has always been an export-focused company. We have sold ships to every corner of the globe this year including Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Norway, the Canary Islands and now Tahiti. I am confident that we will continue to build on the success of 2017 for an even better 2018” Mr Singleton added.

“Austal is at heart an advanced technology company and this next generation high-speed passenger ferry demonstrates SNC Aremiti’s endorsement of our innovative ship design and internationally competitive, high quality construction,” Mr Singleton said.

“This order from SNC Aremiti caps off an incredibly successful year for our international commercial ferry business. We have added eight new vessels, worth more than AU$380 million, to our order book in the past 12 months, including two trimarans of 117 metres in length and a 109 metre catamaran. We also recently signed an MOU with JR Kyushu of Japan for an 80 metre trimaran.” said Austal VP Sales & Marketing, Ben Marland.

This Austal design features seating capacity for 620 passengers and garage space for up to 30 motorbikes, small vehicles and cargo. With a top speed of 36 knots it will be fitted with Austal’s Ride Control System to improve seakeeping and provide greater passenger comfort on the Papeete – Moorea route in French Polynesia.

The vessel will be designed in Australia and construction of the vessel will commence at Austal Philippines during 2018, with delivery scheduled for July 2019.

Reference: austal.com