Taylor Marine Major Projects is completes another successful ferry with Austal. The 66 metre "Apetahi Express" (Austal Hull 425) was constructed by Austal Vietnam and delivered to The Degage Group of French Polynesia in June 2023. Taylor Marine supplied, commissioned, sea-trialled and carried out the successful handover in Vietnam.
Apetahi Express is The Degage Group's sixth commercial ferry designed and constructed by Austal. Apetahi Express was customised by Austal’s Australian and Vietnamese design and engineering teams to meet the exacting demands of inter-island transport, and this new catamaran delivers outstanding new capability; with multiple indoor and outdoor decks for passengers and a large cargo space accommodating up to 16 tonnes of cargo. The vessel is the third ferry by Austal's Vietnam shipyard, since opening in Vung Tau in 2018.
The new Austal ‘Passenger Express 66’ catamaran features a length overall (LOA) of 66.4 metres, beam of 15.2 metres and draft of 1.8 metres. Over two passenger decks, the vessel can accommodate 574 passengers, with an additional 80 seats available on an external sun deck. Crew accommodation includes 7 two-berth cabins and 2 single-berth cabins. The vessel has four passenger access ramps and can carry up to 16 tonnes of cargo loaded via two cranes. Fitted with four diesel engines and four waterjets, as well as Austal’s renowned Motion Control System (including active interceptors and T-foils) and the latest MARINELINK-Essentials program, the new ferry achieved a speed of 38 knots during sea trials. During the design of Apetahi Express, The Degage Group placed an emphasis on reducing CO2 emissions and improving fuel efficiency. By optimising the aluminium hull design, Austal has achieved a significant reduction in resistance that not only lowers fuel consumption but also improves seakeeping and delivers a more comfortable ride for passengers.
Taylor Marine's Major Projects Team specialises in working with shipyards and vessel owners to design and spec the navigation, communications and onboard entertainment systems to best in class for operational and class society standards.
Contact our specialist team for your project: majorprojects@taylormarine.com.au