Austal has launched its largest catamaran to date, the Leonora Christina for Danish company Færgen (formerly Nordic Ferry Services).
Leonora Christina will join the 86-metre Austal-built catamaran Villum Clausen, which has been operating the route between Rønne on the Danish island of Bornholm and Ystad in south east Sweden for over ten years.
The vessel will be operated by Bornholmer Færgen, a subsidiary of Færgen. Bornholmer Færgen currently operates a fleet of three ships (one of which is Villum Clausen), and has been transporting passengers to Bornholm since 1866.
The 113-metre Leonora Christina was designed and built in Austal’s Western Australian shipyard, and is able to hold up to 1,400 passengers and 357 cars, and travel at speeds of up to 40 knots.
Austal was awarded the contract in April 2009 following a competitive international tender process.
The vessel has been built in accordance with the requirements and under the survey of Det Norske Veritas, conforming to International Maritime Organisation HSC Code and Danish regulations.
Registration will be under the Denmark Flag.
With Danish environmental regulations for fast ferries among some of the most stringent in the world, Austal’s design is required to comply with legislation covering environmental noise, wave-wash and exhaust emissions.
The vessel is on track to commence sea trials in March, with delivery scheduled to take place in May 2011.