Austal Limited (ASX:ASB) announced earlier today that Austal Australia has successfully launched Hull 392, a 70 metre offshore crew transfer vessel for Caspian Marine Services Limited (CMS) of Azerbaijan, at the company’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia.
Austal Large Crew Transfer 70 (Hull 392) launching at Austal’s Henderson Western Australia shipyard. - Image: Austal
Austal Large Crew Transfer 70 (Hull 392) launching at Austal’s Henderson Western Australia shipyard. - Image: Austal
Following the contract award in June 2015, construction commenced in October 2015. In parallel with the forward hull module fabricated at Austal Philippines in Balamban, Cebu, the stern hull module and superstructure were constructed at Austal Australia. In March 2016 the forward hull was transported to Henderson where the superstructure and stern were connected.Footage of the assembly may be viewed below:
The 30 knot, 150 passenger catamaran features a 400sqm cargo deck and is configured to allow ‘walk to work’ crew transfers between vessel and offshore installations, via an Ampelmann platform.
At the vessel launch, Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton remarked: “The on-time launch of this impressive ship further demonstrates Austal’s proven, export - competitive shipbuilding capabilities in to international markets and the successful integration of a global supply chain across our Philippines and Australian operations”.
Based on a design by Incat Crowther, the Austal Large Crew Transfer 70 - named Rashid Behbudov - is on schedule for delivery to CMS in the third quarter of 2016, following final fit-out and completion of sea trials.
Austal Large Crew Transfer 70 (Hull 392) maneuvering alongside at Austal Australia (with Royal Navy of Oman’s High Speed Support Vessel AL NAASIR (S12) and the Australian Border Force’s Cape Wessell patrol boat in the background).
Source: Austal