Strategic launches first vessel from its Vietnam shipyard

NOVEMBER 13, 2013 — Henderson, Western Australia, headquartered shipbuilder Strategic Marine has launched the Shanna, the first of two 45-m Ropax catamaran ferries for Oman’s National Ferries Company.

The vessel is the first of its kind built by Strategic at its Vietnam shipyard. The sister vessel, the Jawharat, will deliver at the end of November.

Stratgic also has operations in Singapore and Western Australia.

“The global ferry market is of significant importance to us and we have strong pedigree in building these and similar types of vessels in our other regional yards,” said Reece Newbold, Group Business Development Manager. “Although the alumini]um ferry market has been depressed for a while, it remains a focus sector for us due to excellent relationships, both established and new, in key international hubs. Our reputation for building quality vessels at competitive prices is standing us in good stead.”

Designed by Sea Transport Solutions, the vessels can carry 294 passengers (154 internal) and 38 cars or four trucks and 24 cars. Each has four CAT C18 Acert main engines, each developing 357 kW at 1800 rpm with continuous A rating, and can achieve speeds of 18 knots (15 knots at maximum load).

Both vessels will operate on the busy Shanna-Masirah route from the mainland to the northern tip of Oman’s largest island.  

Mehdi bin Mohammed al Abduwani, CEO of National Ferries Company, was at the Strategic Marine shipyard in Dong Xuyen in southern Vietnam, along with Mark Newbold, Chairman of Strategic Marine, to witness the official launch of the Shanna.