Austal Enters Japanese Market With $7.8 Million Sale

Austal Ships of Western Australia has penetrated the Japanese market with the sale of a 141-foot (43-m), $7.8 million passenger catamaran to Japanese shipping operator, Diamond Ferry, which is a subsidiary of Mitsui OSK Lines.

"Our vessel will be an ambassador to Japan and we're confident it will be the first of many more," said Austal Ships President John Rothwell.

Diamond Ferry is diversifying its fleet of steel car/passenger ferries to include Austal's ultra-fast 331- passenger aluminum catamaran.

The vessel, which is scheduled for delivery in May 1995, will operate on a prestigious new route which connects Matsuyama on Shikoku Island and Oita on Kyushu island.

Driven by four MTU diesel engines, which will drive the vessel to an operating speed of 42 knots, the vessel will complete the journey in two hours.