By
Alex Smith |
Austal has been awarded a €20.5 million ($24.1 million) contract to design and build a 66-metre, high-speed catamaran ferry, Apetahi Express, for The Degage Group of French Polynesia.
Work will commence on the new ferry in August 2021 at Austal Vietnam shipyard, with a scheduled delivery in the first half of 2023.
“Over the past two decades The Degage Group has trusted Austal to design and construct five ships for their growing maritime and tourism operations in French Polynesia, and we’re delighted they have again chosen Austal to develop their latest high-speed ferry,” said Paddy Gregg, CEO of Austal. “This contract is a clear demonstration of confidence in our Vietnam shipyard, which recently delivered its second commercial ferry within a period of just two years.”
Apetahi Express will be able to accommodate 574 passengers over two decks, with an additional 80 seats available on a sun deck. She will be fitted with four diesel engines and four waterjets, as well as Austal’s Motion Control System and the newest MarineLink and MarineLink-Smart programmes. The ship will have a contracted top speed of 35.8 knots and a range of 360 nautical miles.
Once delivered, the new ferry will operate a service between Pape’ete, Tahiti, and Vaitape, Bora Bora.