Page 26: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2001)

pmc U.S. Report

Bollinger Incat USA - Marking Its Territory

Known for its sleek, fast and high-performance wave- piercing catamarans, Incat Australia expanded its reach to U.S. shores with its decision last year to part- ner with Lockport, La.,-based Bollinger Shipyards for the construction and design of a new breed of high speed, aluminum fast craft for operation in the U.S.

Wanting to break into the U.S. military market,

Bollinger Incat USA is poised to establish a new breed of fast ferry construction that will meet the needs of the

U.S military forces. The company also plans to posi- tion its vessels as a means to alleviate traffic on high- ways with its plan for high-speed, high-performance freight vessels, which will be able to carry a mix of semi-trailers and freight vehicles. Currently, the com- pany is eyeing a potentially lucrative prize, the award of the Theatre Support Vessels (TSV) contract, which will be utilized by the U.S. Army in times of battle. — By Regina P. Ciardiello, senior editor

It is safe to say that the construction of the aluminum fast ferries is by no means, a large part of the U.S. ship- building make up. While the recent strengths of U.S. yards have lied mostly within the naval, workboat and

USA offshore realms, the aluminum fast ferry market is one that is poised for a profitable and long run.

Last year was significant for this market as it marked the entrance of two major Australian competitors part- nering with two top Gulf of Mexico shipyards. It was the alliance between Austal in Perth, Australia and

Bender Shipbuilding in Mobile, Ala. to form Austal

USA that initially raised eyebrows. More recently, however was the partnering of Tasmania-based Incat

Australia and Bollinger Shipyards. Although no ves- sels have even been constructed yet by the new U.S. companies, the competition is already at a boil.

A recent battle between the two companies has been for two charter proposals for the U.S. Military. The first, which was a two-month high-speed craft charter in Okinawa was granted to Austal USA. Incat howev- er, is expected to garner a one year charter, (with an option for an additional year), from the military for one of its high-speed vessels to operate along the U.S. East

Coast. The vessel, according to Incat's military market- ing consultant, Richard Lowrie, will be used for "evaluation and demonstration trials to determine the use of future acquisitions." Lowrie, who is confident that the U.S. military will call upon Incat for this pro- ject, does not feel threatened by competition in the

U.S. from its neighboring yard - Austal USA. "We (Incat) have been in competition with them (Austal) for several years in Australia," Lowrie said. "We focus on perfecting one product, which are our wave piercing cats."

Lowrie added: "We are constantly trying to improve the Incat 'breed,' which encompasses more than 40 per- cent of the world market." While, according to Lowrie, the military charter "would be a massive develop- ment," Bollinger Incat USA is hopeful that the charter award will further propel the company into the devel- opment of its military vessel designs.

Development of Two

Incat Australia, not be confused with Incat Design, which is a separate entity of the former, was created

Aqualiner

Low Wash Ferry 130 passengers

Aremiti 4

Damen Fast Ferry 5012 445 passengers / 20 cars

Circle 221 on Reader Service Card www.maritimereporterinfo.com 24 www.maritimereporterinfo.com Maritime Reporter & Engineering News

SIIIPVflRDS

SHIPBUILDING AND SHIPBUILDING KITS FOR CONSTRUCTION IN THE USA

Industrieterrein Avelingen West 20 • P.O. Box 1 • 4200 AA Gorinchem/HOLLAND

Telephone: 011 31 183 639528 • Telefax: 011 31 183 637762

E-mail: [email protected] • Internet: www.damen-shipyards.com

New Ferry V

Damen Fast Ferry 4010 400 passengers