Gotland Company has entrusted the shipbuilders from Austal to design & construct the 130-metre, combined cycle, multi-fuel, hydrogen-ready high-speed catamaran that will connect Gotland with the Swedish mainland.
The ship, to offer room for 1,500 passengers and 400 vehicles, will be the largest vessel ever constructed by Austal. Construction at the company's Philippines shipyard will commence in H1 2026, to be completed in mid-2028.
The contract is valued at A$265-275 million (€161.5-164.5m).
The catamaran will feature a combined cycle propulsion system that includes both gas and steam turbines, a "[...] unique propulsion system arrangement that re-purposes engine exhaust to contribute to vessel propulsion and reduce emissions," the parties highlighted in a press brief.
Horizon X will also be constructed with the use of 'green aluminium,' with around 60% of the metal produced used renewable energy.
"Horizon X is an incredibly exciting project that is going to re-define commercial ferry capabilities, with a multi-fuel and hydrogen-capable combined cycle power-plant and a class-leading, efficient hull design. The flexible fuel technology demonstrated in Horizon X is leading the transition to decarbonisation of commercial ferries, and we're proud to be at the forefront, partnering with Gotland Company, to deliver this industry-leading new ferry," commented Paddy Gregg, CEO, Austal.
Gotland Company's CEO, Håkan Johansson, also underlined, "Thanks to the great collaboration between Gotland Tech Development and Austal, we can now move forward in supplementing our existing fleet of larger passenger and cargo vessels with a high-speed, multi-fuel catamaran, which is also hydrogen-ready. Horizon X is not only designed for speed and efficiency but also for sustainability, as it incorporates cutting-edge green technology, including a hydrogen-ready, highly efficient gas turbine propulsion system."
He furthered, "This vessel is a key step in our strategy to achieve climate-neutral operations, utilising lightweight green aluminium and advanced hydrodynamic design to minimise fuel consumption and emissions. Serving the island of Gotland and the Swedish mainland in a climate and environmentally responsible way is at the heart of our mission, and Horizon X represents a significant milestone in that journey."
The catamaran will be able to speed up to 29 knots, covering the distance in around three hours.
"We have set the ambition-bar high regarding further decreasing our impact on the environment and climate, and a multi-fuel catamaran presents big opportunities for us. Access to fossil-free bunkers will continue to be a challenge, likewise there'll be high uncertainty concerning their prices. With this here type of technology we can blend fuel depending on availability and price. At the same time, we're working on developing the concept for our passengers to even further improve and modernise the onboard experience," shared Marcus Risberg, CEO of Destination Gotland (the ferry subsidiary of Gotland Company).
Photo: Gotland Company