Austal Australasia has been awarded a contract valued around AU$270 million (US$170 million)by Gotlandsbolaget of Sweden, for the design and construction of a 130-metre, combined cycle, "hydrogen-ready" vehicle passenger ferry.
The high-speed Ro-Pax catamaran will be the largest vessel ever constructed by Austal, and will feature an efficient combined cycle propulsion system that includes both gas and steam turbines – a first for high-speed craft worldwide.
With a capacity to transport up to 1,500 passengers, cargo and 400 vehicles, the multi-fuel catamaran will be designed by Austal with construction at the company's Philippines shipyard commencing the first half of 2026.
Construction is scheduled to complete in mid-2028.
Austal and Gotlandsbolaget first announced plans for the development of the 130-metre multi-fuel high speed vehicle passenger ferry design, with the flexibility to be able to operate on a variety of fuel types including hydrogen, in April 2023.
Since then, Austal and Gotland Tech Development, a part of Gotlandsbolaget, have engaged with technology providers from around the world to select preferred main equipment, and to define system arrangements.
This has included the development of the propulsion system arrangement that repurposes engine exhaust to contribute to vessel propulsion and reduce emissions.