Austal Delivers Fast Ferry for Mineworker Commuters

Passenger catamaran 'Vale Grand Sud' provides Vale Mining's New Caledonia workforce with a speedy, comfortable commute

A 41 metre high speed aluminium passenger catamaran, “Vale Grand Sud” has recently entered into operation for mining company Vale Nouvelle-Calédonie, marking the fourth Austal-built vessel to operate in New Caledonia.

“Vale Grand Sud” was designed to provide new levels of speed and comfort to members of the company’s 1,000 strong workforce, as they commute between Noumea and the Goro mine site’s Prony Port.

The vessel will offer Vale’s Goro workforce a safe, reliable and comfortable commute of approximately one hour, which makes it possible for mine workers to return home each day, instead of staying on the mine site or driving approximately two hours through mountainous terrain from Goro to Noumea. The introduction of “Vale Grand Sud” makes a considerable difference in improving quality of life for employees.

“Vale Grand Sud” is a milestone vessel in that it is the first significant step in Austal’s strategic plan to work more closely with resource companies and provide both marine and non-marine products utilising Austal's extensive capability in design, modular manufacturing and in-service product support.