Austal Australasia has secured a contract valued between AUD 265 million and AUD 275 million to design and construct a 130-metre “hydrogen-ready” high-speed ferry for Swedish shipping company Gotlandsbolaget.
The project, part of Gotlandsbolaget’s Horizon X program, marks a significant milestone in Austal’s shipbuilding portfolio as the largest vessel the company has ever constructed, Austal said in a news release.
The high-speed ROPAX catamaran will feature a combined cycle propulsion system that incorporates both gas and steam turbines, a first for high-speed craft worldwide.
It will have the capacity to transport up to 1,500 passengers, cargo, and 400 vehicles. The vessel will be built at Austal’s Philippines shipyard, with construction scheduled to begin in the first half of 2026 and completion expected by mid-2028.
The design will utilise “green aluminium,” produced through energy-efficient processes aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg described the project as an industry-leading initiative that advances commercial ferry capabilities.
“Horizon X is an incredibly exciting project that is going to redefine commercial ferry capabilities, with a multi-fuel and hydrogen-capable combined cycle powerplant and a class-leading, efficient hull design,” Gregg said.
He highlighted the vessel’s role in supporting the transition to decarbonisation in the ferry industry.
Gotlandsbolaget Chief Executive Officer Hakan Johansson also underscored the project’s emphasis on sustainability and innovation.
“Horizon X is not only designed for speed and efficiency but also for sustainability, as it incorporates cutting-edge green technology, including a hydrogen-ready, highly efficient gas turbine propulsion system,” Johansson said.
He added that the vessel aligns with Gotlandsbolaget’s long-term strategy to achieve climate-neutral operations.
Austal and Gotlandsbolaget initially announced the development of the high-speed multi-fuel ferry design in April 2023.
Since then, both companies, along with Gotland Tech Development, have collaborated with technology providers to refine the vessel’s design and propulsion system.
The system will repurpose engine exhaust to contribute to propulsion while reducing emissions.
In October 2024, the project received approval in principle from the global independent Nautical Classification Society, DNV, confirming that the vessel design complies with regulations for gas-fuelled ship installations, including hydrogen, and the International Code of Safety of Ships Using Gases or Other Low Flashpoint Fuels.
The Horizon X ferry will supplement Gotlandsbolaget’s existing fleet of larger passenger and cargo vessels, serving the island of Gotland and the Swedish mainland.
