New 1,200 passenger ferry for Fjord Line

Shipbuilding group Austal has announced that its Austal Philippines arm has handed over a new 109-meter, 1,200 PAX, high-speed catamaran to Fjord Line of Norway. The new vessel, named FSTR is thought to be the largest aluminium vessel ever constructed in the Philippines.

Austal CEO, Paddy Gregg, said: “It’s impressive to see a large high-speed ferry like this delivered in the best of times, but for the team to deliver this new vessel during a global pandemic is simply outstanding.”

According to Austal, the new vessel features several key design features that will enhance performance and passenger comfort, including an optimized hull form to minimize fuel consumption and wake wash.

Fjord FSTR will ply the Skagerrak between Hirtshals, Denmark and Kristiansand, Norway. At the handover at the Balamban Cebu Shipyard, Austal Philippines President, Wayne Murray said the delivery of the FSTR was the first of three large high-speed ferries to be built at the company’s newly expanded yard.

He continued: “With the delivery of FSTR, we’re now preparing for the launch of Hull 395, Bañaderos Express; a 118-meter trimaran ferry under construction for Fred Olsen Express of the Canary Islands. Following closely behind that, we have the 115-meter Express 5 under construction for Molslinjen of Denmark.

“We’ve just delivered the largest high-speed ferry ever built in the Philippines and in fact, the largest high-speed ferry built by any Austal shipyard, anywhere in the world. And soon, we will do it again, when we complete Express 5 for Molslinjen.”