Austal has announced it has secured a deal to sell a long-dormant 102-metre trimaran ferry to an undisclosed European operator.
In a statement to the Australian stock exchange, the shipbuilder announced the conclusion of an "option to purchase contract" for the stock vessel, known internally as 'Austal Hull 270'.
Further details of the future sale, including the vessel's new operator or the terms and conditions of sale, were not disclosed. Austal added that the option agreement, "Is expected to result in the ferry operator purchasing the vessel in the fourth quarter of 2014."
In a related development, Austal also recently announced a contract to sell the land and existing infrastructure of a satellite service base in Henderson.
The sale agreement, made in party with AME Offshore Solutions, is worth $21 million for the surplus asset.
Net proceeds from the sale of approximately $17 million will be used to further pay down infrastructure-related debt, streamline and consolidate assets, and allow the existing Henderson facilities to focus on the ongoing delivery of the Cape-class patrol boat program.
The site will also be used to develop Austal's pipeline for variant-style defence vessels.
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