Swedish-Australian partnership to develop gas turbine-powered ferry

Austal Australia and Swedish transport company Gotlandsbolaget have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop a new type of high-speed Ro-Pax ferry powered by gas turbines.

The vessel to be developed under the Gotland Horizon X will be of aluminium construction and will have capacity for 1,450 passengers plus cargo and vehicles. Its area of operation will be between the Swedish mainland and the island of Gotland.

Under the terms of the MOU and proposed construction contract, the high-speed catamaran will be designed by Austal and constructed at the Austal Philippines shipyard.

Austal will utilise its proprietary AI technology to further develop and finalise an energy efficient hull that minimises energy requirements and optimises seakeeping.