Austal wins technical management and maintenance contract for Egyptian fast ferries

Australian fast ferry builder Austal has been awarded the technical management and maintenance contract for the two Egyptian fast ferries Cairo and Riyadh it delivered last year. Both ferries were originally built for the Government of Saudi Arabia, but were later gifted to the Egyptian government to improve the standard of ferry services across the Red Sea.

Both ferries, capable of carrying 1,200 passengers, 120 cars and 15 trucks at a speed of 37 knots, operate between the Egyptian port of Safaga and Dibba in Saudi Arabia, a 100 nautical mile route. The service has already proved popular with pilgrims travelling to Mecca, Egyptian workers travelling to and from Saudi Arabia, as well as business and leisure travellers. So far more than 69,700 people have utilised the service, along with 3,514 cars and 730 trucks.

Integral to the successful launch of the new service, Austal’s comprehensive technical management and maintenance package is being undertaken over a three year period and includes options for an additional two years.

The package will see the Australian fast ferry builder perform planned and preventative maintenance support, unscheduled maintenance, management and performance of annual surveys and maintenance periods, as well as shore-based engineering support. As a result, Austal has established a dedicated, fully staffed service office in Safaga, where it will utilise the region’s existing drydocking facilities as and when required.  Sphere: Related Content