Austal has delivered the final four of a series of high-speed passenger ferries for Hong Kong's Venetian Marketing Services Limited (VMSL).
Recognisable by their electric blue livery, each of the 47.5-metre aluminium CotaiJets are now in operation between Hong Kong and Macao, servicing the entertainment, gaming, convention and hotel facilities on The Cotai Strip.
Each vessel has the capacity to carry 413 passengers at a speed of 42 knots. The vessels currently perform over 60 sailings a day.
The fourteen CotaiJets are each powered by four MTU 16V4000 M70s producing 2,320kW at 2,000rpm, driving four Kamewa 63 SII waterjets. Each ferry is fitted with transom mounted SeaState Interceptors providing active high-speed ride control.
The latest four vessels have been further enhanced with the addition of forward mounted T-foils and aft mounted, T-Max, an auxiliary steering system proprietary to Austal.
The provision of a regular, reliable, fast, high quality ferry service has contributed to the popularity of the Venetian Macao entertainment complex, which recorded a 7.1 percent increase in visits during the second quarter compared to last year's second quarter.
Disclosure: Members of the Baird family or companies in the Baird Publications group own shares in Austal.