New World orders Austal ferries

Austal and New World First Ferry Services (Macau) Limited (First Ferry (Macau)) have announced the order of two new high-speed catamarans for operation between Macau and Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.

With five Austal 47.5 metre high speed passenger catamarans already in service in the New World First Ferry fleet, these new ferries will be near copies of the proven design, optimised for service speeds in excess of 42 knots and the comfortable carriage of 418 passengers with high quality passenger amenities.

The new ferries are scheduled to enter service in 2008 to meet the growing tourism demand generated from the increase in the Macau’s tourist arrivals since the development of the gaming and mega-resort industry and the extension of Individual Visitor Scheme.

Since 1988 Austal has delivered thirty seven high speed passenger ferries to the Hong Kong / China market providing an essential public transport solution for passengers traveling between Hong Kong and the Pearl River.