Contract for high-speed catamaran
The Passenger Express 41 will accommodate 400 passengers and 20 tonnes of cargo over 2 decks (Source: Austal)
Australian yard Austal said it has been awarded a US$10.7 million contract for a 41m-long, high-speed passenger/freight catamaran for customer SGTM Mauritius.
The type Passenger Express 41 catamaran will have a length overall of 41.2m, beam of 10.9m and draught of 2.0m. The vessel can accommodate 400 passengers and mixed cargo of up to 20 tonnes on two decks, loaded via two ramps. With four MTU 12V2000 M72 engines and four waterjets, the new catamaran will achieve 31.5 knots at with a range of approximately 370 nautical miles.
It will be built by Austal’s yard in Vietnam. The vessel will provide production continuity to Austal Vietnam as it completes the fabrication of another 94m ferry for a customer in Trinidad and Tobago, Austal said. The new contract will become effective when the required down payment is received, which is expected in the next few days, Austal said. The new vessel is based on an existing vessel designed by Austal Australia, with customer defined design modifications to be undertaken in Vietnam before construction commences by March, 2020, with delivery approximately one year later.
The SGTM catamaran will be operated in the Comoros Islands. Established in 2004, SGTM is the Comoros’ main ferry company, operating three passenger vessels and two freight transport ships between the islands of Mayotte, Anjouan and Great Comoros, carrying over 100,000 passengers annually.
