Danish government contract

Busy times continue at Australian fast ferry builder Austal Ships. The yard has secured an export order for an 86m vehicle/passenger catamaran for bareboat charter to Danish government-owned BornholmsTrafikken. The charter will be for three years, and after that period the Danish government can either purchase the vessel or extend the charter. According to Austal, the vessel will be the first of its kind built outside of Europe to feature gas turbine propulsion.

The vessel will be built to Austal`s Auto Express 86 design which carries 1,000 passengers and 186 cars. It will operate at a service speed of approximately 40 knots, but will be capable of a fully loaded maximum speed of 50 knots. Propulsion will be provided by two GE LM 2500 gas turbines rated at 18,000kW (24,472 bhp) driving four Kamewa waterjets through Renk gearboxes.