Molslinjen, Bygg nr. 393 ved Austal, Auto Express 109 "Express 4"

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AUSTAL TO BUILD NEW 109 METRE HIGH SPEED CATAMARAN

Austal Limited (Austal) (ASX: ASB) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a contract to design and build a 109 metre vehicle passenger (RoPax) ferry for Mols Linien A/S (Mols) (OMX: MOLS) of Denmark, its fourth new commercial ferry contract in the past month.

The circa A$100million contract will be the largest commercial ferry built by Austal since 2011, and is proposed to be built at Austal Australia’s Henderson shipyard, commencing first quarter of 2017.

The 109 metre RoPax ferry is an enhanced design based on Austal’s proven catamaran platform, with a new optimised hull shape and vessel weight minimisation solution that delivers better performance and greater fuel efficiency. Innovations such as these will enable Mol’s new high speed ferry to achieve lower operating costs and deliver an enhanced passenger experience.

The first-in-class vessel will be the first built by Austal to feature two full vehicle decks for 425 cars, or 610 lane metres for trucks and up to 232 cars. With a capacity to carry up to 1,006 passengers safely and comfortably at speeds up to 40 knots, the all-aluminium catamaran delivers greater capability to Mols to achieve early, valuable returns on a strategic commercial investment.

Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said: “Once again Austal has demonstrated that it is a world leader in ship design and construction with the sale of this newly optimised class of very large 109 metre ferry to a highly discerning customer. We are continuing to innovate by investing in our designs and our manufacturing capability, which has led to this reference customer sale.

“In the past two months Austal has secured more than AU$400million in new orders for defence and commercial vessels which clearly demonstrates our success in developing technically superior and highly cost competitive solutions for domestic and export markets. Austal is proud to put Australian ship building on the world stage."

Based on previous commercial vessel construction programs of this magnitude, Austal’s Australian shipbuilding operations are anticipated to engage more than 350 local design, production and project management employees in the delivery of the Mols contract, further enhancing Austal’s and the greater Australian shipbuilding industry’s sovereign capability.

A total of seven large (greater than 100 metres long) high speed RoPax ferries have been produced for international operators at Austal’s Henderson shipyard since 2001.

“The number and variety of vessels delivered to export markets reflects Austal’s ingenuity and commercial success in designing, constructing and supporting large RoPax ferry platforms, such as the Mols 109 metre catamaran,” Mr Singleton said.

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Illustrasjon: Austal
 
AUSTAL COMMENCES CONSTRUCTION OF 109 METRE HIGH SPEED FERRY FOR MOLSLINJEN OF DENMARK

Austal (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce the start of construction of the 109 metre high-speed catamaran ferry‘Express 4’ for Molslinjen (OMX:MOLS) of Denmark, with the first plate-cutting conducted at Austal’s shipyard in Western Australia.

Molslinjen Chairman, Frantz Palludan officially initiated the aluminium plate cutting for Austal’s largest commercial ferry project since 2011 and the largest commercial ferry (by volume) in the company’s 28 year history.

Mr Palludan was joined by Soren Jespersen, Vice Chairman of Molslinjen and Magnus Psilander of Grifone Shipbrokers AB at the plate cutting ceremony which was hosted by Austal Chairman John Rothwell and Chief Executive Officer David Singleton.

Highlighting the vessel’s new, customised design, David Singleton said the vessel represented the very latest in high-speed catamaran technology, delivering an optimum ferry solution for Molslinjen.

“Austal’s sleek hull form and clever superstructure design will enable over 1,000 passengers and 425 cars to be transported safely, at up to 40 knots and in class-leading comfort. This new vessel has a sufficient vehicle deck width for articulated-vehicles, with 610 lane metres for trucks and other commercial vehicles – no other ferry design can match this capability.”

“Austal’s unique 109 metre high speed catamaran gives Molslinjen a true, competitive advantage and the very best offering to the travelling public and commercial vehicle operators. This vessel will set a new standard for speed, comfort and efficiency,” Singleton added.
‘Express 4’ will be the fourth high-speed catamaran ferry launched by Molslinjen in just 6 years and reflects the continuing success of the company, which has seen a 46% increase in passenger numbers across its network since 2011.

Employing more than half of the 600-strong workforce at the Henderson shipyard, including many of the 100 new apprentices to be recruited in 2017, Austal is on schedule to deliver ‘Express 4’ in late 2018.
 
AUSTAL COMPLETES ROLL OUT MILESTONE FOR 109M HIGH SPEED CATAMARAN FERRY FOR MOLSLINJEN OF DENMARK

AUSTAL (ASX:ASB) today celebrated the successful roll out of the Auto Express 109 metre high speed vehicle / passenger catamaran ferry ‘Express 4’ for Molslinjen (OMX:MOLS) of Denmark. The milestone involved the hull and superstructure leaving the construction halls, followed by the superstructure being lifted and joined to the hull. The vessel is now undergoing final fit out and will commence sea trials shortly.

This next generation catamaran commenced construction in April 2017. Featuring an advanced design with optimised hull form to minimise fuel consumption and Austal’s industry leading Ride Control System for superior sea-keeping and comfort, the vessel supports over 1000 passengers, 425 cars, and will operate at speeds up to 40 knots.

“This revolutionary high speed catamaran is the latest advancement from Austal’s centre of excellence for maritime design. The technology and efficiency of this vessel truly places it in a class of its own” Austal CEO, David Singleton said.

“The international demand for Austal vessels in both commercial and defence markets is testament to the Austal team and their continued ability to deliver the world’s most advanced aluminium vessels” he said.
“The commercial ferry market has continued to strengthen over the last 18 months, with the Austal Auto Express 109 setting the benchmark for large, technologically advanced, super efficient, high speed ferries. Austal continues to lead the market in this record sales period, cementing the company’s largest forward order book” Austal Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Ben Marland, said.

The Auto Express 109 catamaran has been designed and built at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia, supporting more than 450 jobs. Austal has also commenced construction of an Auto Express 109 for Fjord Line of Norway, and the first of two 117 metre trimarans for Fred.Olsen S.A. of the Canary Islands.
 
AUSTAL SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES 109M HIGH SPEED CATAMARAN FOR MOLSLINJEN OF DENMARK

AUSTAL (ASX:ASB) operations in Henderson, Western Australia has successfully launched the Auto Express 109m high-speed vehicle/passenger ferry ‘Express 4’ for Molslinjen (OMX:MOLS) of Denmark.

This major project milestone involved the vessel being launched into the water for the first time, and follows the successful roll-out and joining of the hull and superstructure in August. The vessel is now undergoing final preparations to begin sea trials as part of the acceptance and handover process.

This next-generation catamaran commenced construction in April 2017, and remains on schedule to meet contract handover date in Jan 2019. The ‘Express 4’ features an advanced optimised hull form designed to minimise fuel consumption. Also built into the vessel is Austal’s industry-leading Ride Control System, which will result in superior sea-keeping and comfort for over 1000 passengers traveling at speeds up to 40 knots.

“The technology and efficiency of this vessel truly places it in a class of its own - it has really redefined what is possible in high speed aluminium vessel design” Austal CEO, David Singleton said.

“The international demand for Austal vessels in both commercial and defence markets is testament to the Austal team continually developing the world’s most advanced vessel designs and then building them to the highest possible standard” he said.
“The commercial ferry market has further strengthened over the last 18 months, with the Austal Auto Express 109 setting the benchmark for large, technologically advanced, super-efficient, high-speed ferries” Austal Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Ben Marland, said.

“This is a record sales period for international high speed ferries and Austal is clearly leading the market with our highly differentiated and unique designs. With demand continuing to increase we have cemented the company’s largest forward order book and are continuing to add to it” he said.

The ‘Express 4’ was designed at Austal’s centre for excellence in maritime design, and has supported more than 450 direct jobs in Henderson, Western Australia and more than 500 indirectly through Austal’s 1100+ Australian supply chain.

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Alle foto: via Austal
 
Ny superfærge skal hjem til Aarhus

Molslinjens nyeste superfærge, Express 4, er nu blevet overdraget til Molslinjen i Australien, og i dag begynder den 20.000 kilometer lange sejltur hjem til Aarhus.

Skibsbyggerne på Austal-værftet i Perth kan efter næsten ét års arbejde nu levere Express 4 til Molslinjens folk i Australien. Efter ugers test i vandet ud for Perth har Molslinjens besætning nu sat kursen hjemover mod Aarhus.

Forude venter en 20.000 kilometer lang rejse. Fra vestkysten af Australien over det indiske Ocean, gennem Suez kanalen og videre gennem Middelhavet og den engelske kanal, og efter at rundet Skagen hjem over Kattegat til Aarhus.

”Express 4 skal sikre, at vi har den fornødne kapacitet på Kattegat, når vi har afgivet Express 1 og Max Mols til operationen på Bornholm”, forklarer Molslinjens administrerende direktør, Carsten Jensen.

Det tager en lille måned til søs, før Express 4 kan lægge til kaj i sin hjemhavn i Aarhus. Selv om der er foretaget intensive testsejladser i ugerne op til hjemturen, er det altid spændende at tage et helt nyt skib ud på så lang en tur.

”Vi har taget færger hjem fra Australien før, så vi ved, at det er en hård test af maskineriet, og vi ved også, at det er en hård tur for mandskabet, som ikke har meget komfort på en tom passagerfærge”, siger Carsten Jensen.

Express 4 forventes sat i drift på ruten mellem Aarhus og Odden medio marts. Molslinjen vil således have tre af verdens største katamaran-færger i drift på Kattegat.

"Express 4"
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Foto: Ukjent via Austal
 
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