New Virtu catamaran launched at Australia 'yard

Austal, the Austrialian shipyard, has successfully launched Virtu Ferries' €60 million catamaran Jean de la Valette at its facilities, The Motorship reported yesterday. The 107-metre catamaran, one of the top five catamarans in the world, will carry...

Austal, the Austrialian shipyard, has successfully launched Virtu Ferries' €60 million catamaran Jean de la Valette at its facilities, The Motorship reported yesterday.

The 107-metre catamaran, one of the top five catamarans in the world, will carry 800 passengers, including 110 in VIP lounges, and 156 cars at a speed of approximately 39 knots. Austal said the catamaran is on schedule for delivery in August.

It will start sea trials in June.

The Jean de la Valletta is the shipyards' 24th commercial delivery to operators in the Mediterranean, which included 14 large vehicle-passenger ferries, and Virtu Ferries' existing 68-metre catamaran Maria Dolores. Austal also delivered four new patrol boats to the Armed Forces of Malta in February.

Austal won the contract a year ago.

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