Austal to build 130-metre hydrogen-ready, high-speed ferry
This will be its largest project.
Austal Australasia has bagged a contract, reaching US$174m (AU$275m), to design and construct a 130-metre combined cycle, hydrogen-ready vehicle passenger ferry.
According to Austal, the ROPAX catamaran project, awarded by Sweden’s Gotlandsbolaget of Sweden, will be the largest vessel it constructed. It will feature a combined cycle propulsion system that includes both gas and steam turbines.
The vessel will be able to transport up to 1,500 passengers, cargo, and 400 vehicles.
Construction of the vessel will be conducted at the Austal Philippines shipyard starting the first half of 2026, with target completion by mid-2028.
“This vessel is a key step in our strategy to achieve climate-neutral operations, utilising lightweight green aluminium and advanced hydrodynamic design to minimise fuel consumption and emissions.
The project is part of Gotlandsbolaget’s Horizon X programme.
The companies first announced plans for the development of a 130-metre multi-fuel high-speed vehicle passenger ferry design in April 2023. The project gained approval in principle in October 2024.
