The first of multi-purpose Auto Express 65m high-speed ferries, built for the Sultanate of Oman, was launched at the Austal Image Henderson shipbuilding facility in September. With top speed in excess of 50 knots, the vessels, it is thought, will 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 Musandam Penisular and will be the falgship in the Sultanate’s expanded marine transport network. The first vessel will arrive in Oman early next year.
The ferries carry 208 pasenggers and 56 cars along an intended 180nm route. Pasenggers will experience 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 enchanced by the Austal SEAState Motion Control System.
Onboard features also include a helicopter landing faclity suitable for medium-class helicopter, which will be capable of assisting in search and rescue and medivac operations.
Both vessels are powered by four Mtu 20 cyinder 1163 series diesel engines each producing 6500kW and driving Kamewa waterjets. Â
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