By
Cherie Rowlands |
Austal has delivered a high-speed catamaran from its Western Australian yard to mining company Vale New Caledonia, its fourth project for the region.
The 41-metre, aluminium Vale Grand Sud, which travels up to 37 knots, will be transporting 1,000 workers between capital Noumea and the Goro mine’s Prony Port. The 439-passenger vessel offers improved efficiency and passenger comfort, and is a key part of the global boatbuilder’s strategy to work closely with resource companies.
Austal CEO Andrew Bellamy said: “This close interaction between client and builder benefited the development of this vessel immensely, as we were able to see first-hand the operating environment of the vessel. This relationship continued with Austal's project team during the construction and commissioning stages and resulted in a vessel that is truly customised for optimal passenger convenience and operational efficiency.”
Vale Grand Sud features include a large meeting room, captain’s office, crew mess, kiosk, flat screen televisions and reclining passenger seats. The ferry is powered by four MTU 16V 2000 M72 engines coupled to Kamewa wateriest through Reinties gearboxes, providing quiet and smooth travel.
Earlier passenger ferries delivered to New Caledonia from Austal include a 35-metre monohull and one at 30 metres, along with a 52.4-metre catamaran, which is the largest Austal-built vessel operating in the area.
Austal is contracted to build 24 vessels at its shipyards in Australia, the Philippines and United States, including the latest project, an 80-metre passenger catamaran for French Polynesian operator Aremiti Cruise, which is due to be delivered at the end of 2013.