World's fastest ever diesel powered vehicle ferry launched

With a top speed in excess of 50 knots (93 km/hr), the vessels will be the fastest diesel powered vehicle ferries ever built.

Scheduled for delivery in 2008, the two catamarans will provide a new tourism service to Oman's magnificently rugged Musandam Peninsular and will be the flagship in the Sultanate's expanded marine transport network.

Once delivered, the vessels will set new standards for the Middle East region, not only in terms of performance but also with regard to safety, comfort and quality of finish. As well as reaching speeds of over 50 knots, the ferries carry 208 passengers and 56 cars along an intended 180 nautical mile route.

Passengers will experience unparalleled comfort across three classes - Tourist Class, First Class and VIP. High quality seating and catering facilities are all located on a single deck, with seakeeping comfort enhanced by the Austal SeaState Motion Control System.

Onboard features also include a helicopter landing facility suitable for a medium class helicopter, which will be capable of assisting in search and rescue and medivac operations.

Both vessels are powered by four MTU 20 cylinder 1163 series diesel engines each producing 6,500 kW and driving a Rolls Royce / KaMeWa waterjets. The vessels are being built in accordance with the requirements and under the survey of Det Norske Veritas, conforming to the International Maritime Organisation High Speed Craft code (HSC 2000).

Austal Executive Chairman John Rothwell said the contract for the Sultanate of Oman's two high speed vessels is of extreme strategic importance, as it demonstrates Austal's leading design and construction capabilities in one of the fastest growing markets in the world.

"With 15 of our company's commercial and military ships now operating in the Middle East and 10 in nearby Turkey, the two Sultanate of Oman ferries further reinforce Austal's commitment to the region and its understanding of the unique needs of the Middle East," Mr Rothwell said.

The first vessel will arrive in Oman early next year.