Austal announces $8m ferry order

Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal has signed an $8 million deal to construct and deliver a high-speed passenger ferry for New Caledonia-based transport group Mary D Enterprises.

The vessel will be the second built for Mary D by Austal's Henderson workforce, and is scheduled for delivery in November.

It will join the Austal-built Mary D Dolphin, which has operated between Noumea and Amadee Island in New Caledonia since 1998.

Austal chief operating officer Andrew Bellamy said the contract added to the company's history of repeat customer business.

"Maintaining and supporting existing customer relationships is a core focus of Austal," Mr Bellamy said.

"We are very pleased that Mary D Enterprises has again selected Austal to design and construct their next vessel."