DELIVERY VOYAGE UNDERWAY OF 56 METRE HIGH SPEED CATAMARAN FOR FRS OF GERMANY

MEDIA RELEASE

9 MARCH 2018

Austal (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce the delivery voyage of a new 56 metre high speed passenger ferry, for Förde Reederei Seetouristik (FRS Group) of Germany, is underway.

Hull 418 departed Austal Philippines shipyard in Cebu on 7th March 2018 and formal delivery and handover is anticipated upon arrival to FRS Group in Germany, in April.

Austal was awarded the A$22million contract for the design and construction of the aluminium catamaran in December 2016 and has built the vessel at the company’s shipyard in the Philippines in just 12 months.

Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said the vessel was a great demonstration of the company’s ability to develop and construct advanced maritime technology in a global market.

“The advanced design and smart ship technology that delivers superior performance and seakeeping for this fantastic looking ship was developed here in Australia and then constructed in the Philippines to our exacting standards, Mr Singleton said.

“Austal’s design team has developed an optimised hull form that not only minimises fuel consumption and wake wash but also provides superior strength and stability at speeds exceeding 35 knots on open seas,” he added.

“Innovations like Austal’s MARINELINK-Smart and Ride Control are being sought out by operators like FRS, as they help to deliver a better customer experience - and a greater return on investment.”

The 35 knot vessel is capable of carrying 680 passengers and features two classes of passenger accommodation (including leather-appointed reclining seats with USB chargers), enhanced passenger accessibility (including an elevator between passenger decks), a programmable, energy-efficient LED lighting system and large windows offering expansive views throughout the cabin. Two exterior passenger decks offer an outdoor experience for FRS customers travelling the popular River Elbe route between Helgoland and the Port of Hamburg.

The 56m high speed catamaran constructed by Austal Philippines for FRS is an all new Austal design from the Australian based design team. (Image: Austal)

Media Contact

Contact:                Gemma Whiting, Government Relations Manager

Mobile:                  +61 (0)408 982 726

Email:                    gemma.whiting@austal.com

Website:                www.austal.com

About Austal

Austal is an Australian shipbuilder and global defence prime contractor designing, constructing and sustaining some of the world’s most advanced commercial and defence vessels.

Celebrating 30 years of success in 2018, Austal has contracted more than 300 vessels for over 100 commercial and defence operators in 54 countries, worldwide.

Austal is Australia’s largest defence exporter and 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.