Austal Australasia has secured a contract worth approximately $171.1 million from Gotlandsbolaget of Sweden to design and construct Horizon X, a 130-meter, hydrogen-ready, high-speed vehicle-passenger ferry.
The catamaran, part of Gotlandsbolaget’s Horizon program, will be Austal’s largest vessel ever, with a capacity of 1,500 passengers, 400 vehicles and cargo. It will feature a unique combined cycle propulsion system using gas and steam turbines, marking a world first for high-speed vessels. Austal said the ferry will also utilize “green aluminum,” which is produced using energy-efficient, low-carbon processes.
Austal CEO Paddy Gregg highlighted Horizon X’s significance in redefining commercial ferry capabilities. “The flexible fuel technology demonstrated in Horizon X is leading the transition to decarbonization of commercial ferries, and we’re proud to be at the forefront, partnering with Gotlandsbolaget, to deliver this industry-leading new ferry,” the chief executive said.
Construction of the multifuel ferry is set to begin at Austal’s shipyard in the Philippines in the first half of 2026, with completion anticipated by mid-2028.
This contract follows other recent awards for Austal, including an $86 million agreement with the Australian government for two additional Evolved Cape-class patrol boats, bringing the total order for the Australian Border Force to 12 vessels. Additionally, Austal Philippines recently delivered a 32-meter catamaran, “Ocean Master,” to Rottnest Fast Ferries, which operates routes in Hillarys Boat Harbour in Perth to Rottnest Island in Western Australia.