WA-based shipbuilder Austal signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with JR Kyushu Jet Ferry to build a high-speed trimaran to carry travelers between South Korea and Japan.
The 2 companies announced the memorandum in Fukuoka City yesterday, December 11, to design and build an 80-meter trimaran based on the trimaran hull form of Austal.
Image: Port Hakata/Fukuoka, Japan
The interior will be developed by designer Eiji Mitooka, of Don Design.
Austal's VP of Sales & Marketing Ben Marland shared that the announcement capped off a great 2017 for Austal, a year in which they had had record orders for their commercial business.
The companies will move towards a deal to design, manufacture and deliver the ship, which will feature a capacity of 500 passengers and top speed of 38 knots, early 2018.
JR Kyushu Jet Ferry is part of Kyushu Railway Company and operates daily jetfoil services between Busan Korea and Fukuoka.