AUSTAL SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES 109M HIGH SPEED CATAMARAN FOR MOLSLINJEN OF DENMARK

MEDIA RELEASE
29 OCTOBER 2018

AUSTAL (ASX:ASB) operations in Henderson, Western Australia has successfully launched the Auto Express 109m high-speed vehicle/passenger ferry ‘Express 4’  for Molslinjen (OMX:MOLS) of Denmark.

This major project milestone involved the vessel being launched into the water for the first time, and follows the successful roll-out and joining of the hull and superstructure in August. The vessel is now undergoing final preparations to begin sea trials as part of the acceptance and handover process.

This next-generation catamaran commenced construction in April 2017, and remains on schedule to meet contract handover date in Jan 2019. The ‘Express 4’ features an advanced optimised hull form designed to minimise fuel consumption. Also built into the vessel is Austal’s industry-leading Ride Control System, which will result in superior sea-keeping and comfort for over 1000 passengers traveling at speeds up to 40 knots.

“The technology and efficiency of this vessel truly places it in a class of its own - it has really redefined what is possible in high speed aluminium vessel design” Austal CEO, David Singleton said.

“The international demand for Austal vessels in both commercial and defence markets is testament to the Austal team continually developing the world’s most advanced vessel designs and then building them to the highest possible standard” he said.

“The commercial ferry market has further strengthened over the last 18 months, with the Austal Auto Express 109 setting the benchmark for large, technologically advanced, super-efficient, high-speed ferries” Austal Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Ben Marland, said.

“This is a record sales period for international high speed ferries and Austal is clearly leading the market with our highly differentiated and unique designs. With demand continuing to increase we have cemented the company’s largest forward order book and are continuing to add to it” he said.

The ‘Express 4’ was designed at Austal’s centre for excellence in maritime design, and has supported more than 450 direct jobs in Henderson, Western Australia and more than 500 indirectly through Austal’s 1100+ Australian  supply chain.

Videos of the rollout and launch can be viewed on the Austal YouTube channel.

Austal Media Contact

Contact:     Gemma Whiting - Government Relations

Mobile:       +61 (0)408 982 727

Email:         gemma.whiting@austal.com

Website:     www.austal.com

About Austal

Austal is an Australian shipbuilder and global defence prime contractor which designs constructs and sustains some of the world’s most advanced commercial and defence vessels.

Austal successfully balances commercial and defence projects and celebrates 30 years of success in 2018.  Austal has designed, constructed and delivered more than 300 commercial and defence vessels for more than 100 operators in 54 countries worldwide.

Austal is Australia’s largest defence exporter and the only ASX-listed shipbuilder. Austal has industry leading shipyards in Australia, the United States of America and Philippines and service centres worldwide.

Austal delivers iconic monohull, catamaran and trimaran commercial vessel platforms – including the world’s largest trimaran ferry and multiple defence programs such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) for the United States Navy. Austal has grown to become the world’s largest aluminium shipbuilder.