Austal has successful delivered a 49 metre high-speed passenger ferry to French Polynesia’s leading commercial ferry operator, SNC Aremiti.
Featuring seating capacity for 620 passengers and garage space for up to 30 motorbikes, small vehicles and cargo, the “Aremiti 6” is an Austal design that is capable of reaching a top speed of 36 knots.
The A$30 million vessel – the fifth vessel Austal has delivered to French Polynesia since 2002 – will also be fitted with Austal’s Ride Control System to improve seakeeping and provide greater passenger comfort on the Papeete – Moorea route in French Polynesia.
Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said the vessel has been delivered by the company’s recently expanded Philippines shipyard.
“Austal Philippines has done an excellent job on this project, producing a high quality vessel to a long-standing client that reflects the professional staff and shipbuilding skills we have at our Cebu shipyard,” Mr Singleton said.
“Over the past 12 months we have delivered a major expansion at the yard to more than treble its capacity, with well over 900 employees now working at Austal Philippines.
“At last week’s opening of the centrepiece of this expansion, the John Rothwell Assembly Bay, it was an honour to have this vessel on full display to Philippines Government officials. Austal Philippines is now delivering some of the world’s most technologically advanced and sophisticated vessels.”
