Austal launches state-of-the-art trimaran

The all-aluminium vessel has been launched at Austal's Henderson facility near Perth.

She will now undergo final fit-out before the start of sea trials in January and is due for completion in February.

The trimaran is designed to have flexible seating for up to 1165 passengers, capacity for 254 cars and a maximum speed of more than 40 knots.

On a combined basis, she can offer 190 lane metres for trucks and 145 cars

Austal sales and Australian operations director Andrew Bellamy said the vessel had already generated considerable interest in the ferry industry and he anticipated that this would increase now that it had been launched.

"It’s not often that a vessel this technologically advanced enters the water," Mr Bellamy said.

"Many operators around the world are excited about what the trimaran can bring to their service – particularly in terms of passenger comfort, payload and fuel efficiency."

Austal said that its trimaran technology meant the vessel used less power than other high-speed craft operating at similar speeds, resulting in lower fuel consumption and improved operating economies.

The vessel also has the ability to maintain higher speeds in waves and operate in higher wave heights, meaning it is less subject to weather-induced cancellations and delays.

Austal’s latest trimaran follows the landmark 2005 trimaran ferry, Benchijigua Express, currently servicing Spain’s Canary Islands.

Austal’s trimaran hull form also forms the basis of the US Navy’s 127-metre Austal-designed and built littoral combat ship, the LCS2 Independence.

The state-of-the-art combat ship recently completed acceptance trials ahead of its delivery to the US Navy at the end of the year, the shipbuilder said.