Aremiti orders 49-metre high-speed catamaran

French Polynesian commercial ferry operator Aremiti has awarded a AU$30 million (US$23.4 million) contract to Austal to design and build a new 49-metre high-speed passenger catamaran ferry.

The Austal design features seating for 620 passengers and garage space for up to 30 motorbikes, small vehicles and cargo.

With a top speed of 36 knots it will be fitted with Austal’s Ride Control System to improve comfort on the Papeete to Moorea route in French Polynesia.

The vessel will be designed in Australia and construction of the vessel will begin at Austal Philippines in 2018, with delivery scheduled for July 2019.

This will be the fifth vessel Austal has delivered to French Polynesia for the Groupe Degage since 2002.