Search

Cebu Shipyard Launches Largest Aluminium Vessel

Cebu Shipyard Launches Largest Aluminium Vessel
Austal | Austal Philippines has successfully launched Hull 419

Austal Limited (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce that Austal Philippines has successfully launched Hull 419, a 109 metre high-speed catamaran ferry, from the company’s recently expanded Balamban shipyard in Cebu.

The vehicle-passenger ferry, to be known as FSTR, is the largest aluminium vessel ever launched in the Philippines – and the largest by volume ever constructed by Austal.

The vessel is now in the final stages of fit out, prior to delivery to Fjord Line of Norway in the 2nd quarter of CY2020.

Austal Philippines has successfully launched Hull 419. Image: Austal.com
Austal Philippines has successfully launched Hull 419. Image: Austal.com

 

Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said the launch of the ‘Auto Express 109’ catamaran was a significant milestone for Austal Philippines, as the first ship to be wholly constructed from the Balamban shipyard’s expanded production facilities, which were opened in July 2019.

“This impressive new ship for Fjord Line of Norway is the first of many large, high-speed commercial ferries to be constructed at our newly expanded shipyard in the Philippines. After Hull 419, we have Hull 395, a 118 metre trimaran under construction, which will be the longest high speed ferry to be constructed in the Philippines.

“We also have a 115 metre catamaran ferry scheduled for later this year – ensuring continuity of production at the Philippines shipyard well into the 2020s,” Mr Singleton said.

Austal Philippines has successfully launched Hull 419. Image: Austal.com
Austal Philippines has successfully launched Hull 419. Image: Austal.com

 

Hull 395, the ‘Banaderos Express’ for Fred. Olsen Express of the Canary Islands, is a 118 metre high-speed trimaran ferry and a sister ship to Bajamar Express, launched in Australia last week.

Hull 423, a 115 metre high speed catamaran ferry to be known as Express 5, is a follow-up order from Molslinjen of Denmark and is scheduled to commence construction in Balamban in the third quarter of CY2020.

Austal Philippines President Wayne Murray celebrated the launch of Hull 419 by thanking the local shipbuilding team and acknowledging the outstanding capability of the Balamban shipyard – which now includes a 120 metre long assembly bay and multiple new fabrication bays.

Austal Philippines has successfully launched Hull 419. Image: Austal.com
Austal Philippines has successfully launched Hull 419. Image: Austal.com

 

“I am exceptionally proud of the entire Austal Philippines team. The launch of Hull 419 from our newly expanded shipyard is a significant event that highlights our capability to deliver multiple projects concurrently – safely and cost effectively,” Mr Murray said.

Fjord Line’s FSTR (Hull 419) is capable of transporting 1,200 passengers at up to 40 knots and features Austal’s largest ever vehicle-carrying capacity constructed to date, with a beam of 30.5 metres enabling 404 cars to be carried across two decks.

The ship features several key design innovations that enhance operating performance and passenger comfort, including a new, optimised hull form that will minimise fuel consumption and wake wash when operating on the Skagerrak Sea between Hirtshals, Denmark and Kristiansand, Norway.

Source : Austal.com | Manila Standard | Port News Russia

Indah Gilang Pusparani

Indah is a researcher at Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Cirebon (Regional Development Planning and Research Agency of Cirebon Municipality). She covers More international relations, tourism, and startups in Southeast Asia region and beyond. Indah graduated from MSc Development Administration and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom in 2015. She finished bachelor degree from International Relations from University of Indonesia in 2014, with two exchange programs in Political Science at National University of Singapore and New Media in Journalism at Ball State University, USA. She was awarded Diplomacy Award at Harvard World Model United Nations and named as Indonesian Gifted Researcher by Australian National University. She is Researcher at Regional Planning Board in Cirebon, West Java. She previously worked as Editor in Bening Communication, the Commonwealth Parliament Association UK, and diplomacy consulting firm Best Delegate LLC in USA. Less
View all posts

Thank you for reading until here