This Philippine-Made Ferry Is On Its Way From Cebu to Denmark
A ferry commissioned by a Danish shipping company and made in the Philippines is on its way to the Scandinavian country, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The high-speed ferry named Fjord FSTR was built for Fjord Line by Austal Philippines at the latter’s shipyard in Balamban, Cebu. The 109-meter catamaran ferry, which can accommodate 1,200 passengers and over 400 cars, will operate between Denmark and Norway. According to Austal Philippines, it is the largest aluminum vessel ever constructed in the Philippines and currently the largest ferry (by volume) to be constructed by Austal, at any of the company’s shipyards worldwide.
The ship features several key design innovations that enhance operating performance and passenger comfort, including a new, optimised hull form that will minimise fuel consumption and wake wash when operating on the Skagerrak Sea between Hirtshals, Denmark and Kristiansand, Norway, the company added.
Austal Philippines said Fjord Line’s FSTR is capable of transporting 1,200 passengers at up to 40 knots and features Austal’s largest ever vehicle-carrying capacity constructed to date, with a beam of 30.5 meters enabling 404 cars to be carried across two decks. The vessel will have three different restaurants on board, as well as a children’s area, a tax-free shop, a café and bistro.
In a news release by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Ambassador to Denmark Leo M. Herrera-Lim said that “'the delivery of the ship is a significant milestone as it is the first wholly constructed ship in the Philippines to carry passengers and cargoes in Denmark. It also reflects the vibrant relations between our two countries.”
Austal Philippines President Wayne Murray said the delivery of FSTR was just the first of three large high-speed ferries to be constructed at the company’s newly expanded shipyard.
“With the delivery of FSTR, we’re now preparing for the launch of Hull 395, Bañaderos Express; a 118-meter trimaran ferry under construction for Fred. Olsen Express of the Canary Islands,” Murray said. “Following closely behind that, we have the 115-meter Express 5 under construction for Molslinjen of Denmark.”
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