Incat Tasmania has increased its shipbuilding workforce to meet renewed demand for its high-speed aluminium passenger vessels.
The company has taken on around 30 additional staff over the past weeks, and more will starting in the weeks ahead. Those employed have been mainly skilled tradesmen in the areas of welding, fabrication, electrical, fitting and fitout, said Incat.
Further, the company has also acquired several previously-unskilled workers as trade assistants and labourers.
"It is anticipated some of these will be put on as apprentices in the future, providing a boost to Tasmania's manufacturing industry and economy and ensuring there is a trained and skilled workforce to meet future employment demands," Incat continued.
Incat's current new buildings, under construction at its Hobart yard, are both for new clients: a 70-metre fast crew boat for the Azerbaijan oil industry, and an 85-metre commercial passenger and vehicle ferry for a new Japanese customer.
The ferry builder also said it aims to secure new orders in the near future, and is also fielding interest from current Incat shipowners for replacement tonnage.