Austal in $22m contract win

Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal has won a $22 million contract to build a high-speed passenger catamaran for a German client, with construction to take place in the Philippines.

The 56-metre vessel will be used by German company Förde Reederei Seetouristik, and is Austal’s sixth commercial contract this year.

That includes two orders from the Philippines, and one each from China, Denmark and South Korea.

The latest ferry will be used on the River Elbe between Helgoland and the Port of Hamburg, and the design will feature a new optimised hull that will minimise fuel consumption and wake wash.

It is expected the ferry will be in construction early next year and delivered in March 2018.

Austal chief executive David Singleton said the company was continuing a strategy of pursuing export markets.

“Export contracts such as this are integral to the ongoing development of our Australian-based design, procurement and engineering teams and provide terrific opportunities for them to share their skills and expertise in shipbuilding with our Philippines shipyard,” Mr Singleton said.

“This not only strengthens our local and overseas capabilities, but ultimately delivers great value to our customers.”

Shares in Austal were up 5 per cent to $1.69 at the close of trading.