Press release received at Power Catamaran World: http://www.austal.com/index.cfm Australia & Turkey. Austal gets catamaran orders from Istanbul Monday, 12 December 2005 Boat builder news: Austal is pleased to announce that a contract for two 88 metre high speed vehicle-passenger catamarans has been signed with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. This follows the submission of a fully compliant proposal with the lowest price offer in an international tender that began earlier this year. To be operated by Istanbul Deniz Otobusleri (IDO) the identical new ferries are scheduled for delivery in 2007 and have a capacity to carry 1,200 passengers and 225 cars or 126 lane metres of trucks plus 158 cars. Commenting on the significant contract, Austal's Executive Chairman, Mr John Rothwell said, "This repeat order is particularly pleasing in the light of IDO being one of the world's most experienced fast ferry operators that has again chosen Austal designed and built vessels for their large, fast vehicle-passenger service." "This confirms Austal's proven ability to market, design and construct globally competitive customised fast ferry solutions." Speaking on behalf of the Municipality, Mr Hüseyin Eren, Assistant Secretary General commented, "Austal won the right to sign the contract with the Municipality following an international tender process and we look forward to these vessels entering service in Istanbul." The origins of Turkey's large fast ferry fleet can be traced to 1987 when the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality founded IDO to develop sea transportation solutions and thus help ease growing traffic congestion. With Istanbul located on the sides of the Bosphorus and bordering the Mamara Sea this has proven to be a valuable addition to the domestic Turkish transport system. The new Austal ferries are designated to operate on a 39 nautical mile reciprocal service across the Marmara Sea between Yenikapi (Istanbul) and a new port development in Mudanya servicing the city of Bursa. IDO Project Manager, Mr Osman Aksoy commented, "Our current Austal fast ferry fleet has provided reliable service since 1995. We appreciate Austal's commitment to product support that assures this important means of public transport can be maintained at the highest level and our passengers appreciate Austal's commitment to comfort and onboard amenity." Each ferry is to be powered by four MTU 20 cylinder 8000 series diesel engines driving a Lips propulsion system through four Reintjes gearboxes. Austal Sales Manager, Chris Pemberton said this combination was specifically developed to achieve the performance targets with 1200 passengers and 225 cars onboard. "When faced with challenging performance requirements set out in the tender document our design team analysed many different propulsion configurations to finally attain the optimum result," he said. The vessels have an impressive maximum deadweight of 470 tonnes and are designed to operate with this load at speeds in excess of 36 knots utilising only 90% of maximum engine power. The vehicle deck on the new ferries offers a clear height of 4.0 metres under the raised mezzanine decks, which are being installed for the first time on a Turkish fast ferry enabling greater flexibility in seasonal load handling. Passenger accommodation will be located on two decks: the Tourist Class upper deck for 922 passengers also providing catering and shopping facilities and a children's recreational area. The bridge deck will accommodate 278 Business Class passengers. Passenger loading is enhanced by specialised boarding ramps and entrances that enable safe, simultaneous movement of vehicle and passenger traffic. In addition, the main engines exhaust via dry stacks to keep fumes away from passengers during boarding and departure. The vessel is being built in accordance with the requirements and under the survey of Germanisher Lloyd, conforming to International Maritime Organisation codes and Turkish Flag and Port State Regulations. Background to Austal / IDO relationship IDO remains Austal's largest commercial customer. Austal has previously supplied eight vessels; "Ertugral Gazi" 30 metre, 155 passenger monohull. Delivered 1995. Operates across the Bosphorus. "Aksemseddin" 30 metre, 155 passenger monohull. Delivered 1995. Operates across the Bosphorus. "Sinan Pasa" 40 metre, 450 passenger catamaran. Delivered 1996. Operates across the Bosphorus and between ports in the Marmara Sea "Piyale Pasa" 40 metre, 450 passenger catamaran. Delivered 1996. Operate across the Bosphorus and between ports in the Marmara Sea. "Turgut Reis" 60 metre, 450 passenger, 94 cars catamaran. Delivered 1997. Operates across the Marmara Sea between Yenikapi and Yalova. "Cezayirli Hasan Pasa I" 60 metre, 450 passenger, 94 cars catamaran. Delivered 1997. Operates across the Marmara Sea between Yenikapi and Yalova. "Adnan Menderes" 86 metre, 800 passenger, 200 cars catamaran. Delivered 1998. Operates between Yenikapi and Bandirma. "Turgut Ozal" 86 metre, 800 passenger, 200 cars catamaran. Delivered 1998. Operates between Yenikapi and Bandirma. Principal particulars Length overall: 87.8 metres Length waterline: 77.4 metres Beam moulded: 24.0 metres Hull depth moulded: 8.25 metres Hull draft (maximum): 3.7 metres Deadweight (maximum): 470 tonnes Passengers: 1200 Crew: 16 Vehicles: 225 cars or 126 lane metres with 158 cars Axle loads: centre lanes: 9 tonnes (single axle) 12 tonnes (dual axle) outer lanes: 3.5 tonnes (single axle) Vehicle deck clear height: mezzanines raised: 4.0 metres mezzanines lowered: 2.2 metres (below) 2.0 metres (above) Fuel (approx): 160,000 litres propulsion Main engines: 4 x MTU 20V 8000 M70R 4 x 7,200 kW Propulsion: 4 x Lips 120E Gearboxes: 4 x Reintjes VLJ 6831 Service speed: 36 knots, 90% MCR, 470 tonnes Survey Classification: Germanischer Lloyd Last Updated ( Monday, 12 December 2005 )