SIX NEW FERRIES FOR SYDNEY HARBOUR

Incat Tasmania’s Hobart Shipyard has been awarded a contract to build six new ferries to operate on Sydney’s Inner Harbour. Announcing the result of a competitive tender process the NSW Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the “ferries are a major step forward in the NSW Government’s plans to modernise and expand the ferry network. “

The new vessel exterior is a traditional design to look similar to the Sydney First Fleet vessels, however the 35 metre, 400 passenger boats have greater capacity than the current fleet. The interior will be more spacious with comfortable inside seating, outdoor viewing areas, a large walk around deck and additional features for passengers; including Wi-Fi access and real-time journey information, and charging stations for electronic devices.

The Sydney Ferries will service commuter and tourist travel on the inner harbour routes from Watsons Bay in Sydney’s east to Cockatoo Island in the west, stopping at the new Barangaroo wharf.

The Incat team’s first task is to take the concept design to detailed construction drawings and vessel models, with construction of the first ferry to start early in 2016. The six will be delivered progressively from late 2016 and throughout 2017.

The Incat Tasmania Pty Ltd shipyard at Prince of Wales Bay in Hobart Tasmania has around 250 staff, The yard’s Managing Director Simon Carter said “This is a great opportunity for Incat’s highly skilled and experienced workforce to participate in the construction of ferries for the iconic Sydney fleet. An order such as this, where six identical vessels are to be built, is welcomed by the existing staff and provides an excellent opportunity for training new personnel.”

Incat has recently completed two fast ferries for London operator Thames Clippers, currently on their way to London and due to start service in October. Four fast ferries, two 24 metre and two 33 metre boats are also under construction for Sydney company Manly Fast Ferry.

Incat, renowned internationally for design and construction of high quality, environmentally friendly and efficient vessels, has built more than 70 vessels, with ships in service around the world. With 3 vehicle ferries delivered since 2013 to South America , Europe and the Far East, a fast crew boat to Azerbajain, two passenger ferries to the UK, and 10 fast ferries on order in Australia, Incat is the world’s largest fast ferry builder by both quantity of ferries (ordered and delivered) and revenue.

Visitors to Hobart will also be familiar with the Incat built 34 metre Mona Roma MR1 which transports visitors between Hobart city and MONA (Museum of Old and New Art).

An animation of the new Sydney ferries is available at:

http://www.incat.com.au/domino/incat/incatweb.nsf/0/F16F2D289AB9EEE4CA257ECE000D3B04?OpenDocument

Images are at http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/b2b/Vessel%20image%201.jpg

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/b2b/Vessel%20image%202.jpg

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/b2b/Deck%20image.jpg

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/b2b/Interior%20shot.jpg

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects-sydneys-ferry-fleet

For further information contact Judy Benson at Incat +61 (0)3 62 711333 or +61 (0)418 335299. Email jbenson@incat.com.au. www.incat.com.au

NSW Transport Minister (Media): dominic.cuschieri@minister.nsw.gov.au ph +61 (0)467 741 503

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