Western Australian shipbuilder Austal has marked a significant milestone in the construction of ‘Horizon X’, a next-generation high-speed ferry for Sweden’s Gotlandsbolaget, with a plate cutting ceremony at the Austal Philippines shipyard in Balamban, Cebu.
Austal CEO Paddy Gregg said: “Today’s plate cutting for Horizon X is a proud moment for the Austal team in the Philippines and across the Austal Group. It represents the first major step in bringing this exciting new vessel to life for Gotlandsbolaget. We are delighted to be building Horizon X, a world-leading hydrogen-ready high-speed ferry – and the largest we have ever built – at Austal Philippines. This vessel’s innovative multi-fuel design — including a unique combined cycle propulsion system integrating gas and steam turbines, driven by waste heat recovery — will help redefine efficiency and sustainability in the ferry sector. There is no single solution that fits every operator or route. Long-term success in decarbonisation will come from flexible fuel and technology solutions that allow operators to adapt as alternative fuels mature and infrastructure develops. Horizon X has been designed with that flexibility at its core.”
Gotlandsbolaget CEO Björn Nilsson added: “Commencing production of Horizon X is a significant milestone for Gotlandsbolaget. We are pleased to see construction underway and to celebrate this moment alongside Austal and the skilled shipbuilders here in Balamban. This vessel represents a key investment in our future capability, combining speed, capacity and sustainability, and we look forward to working closely with Austal throughout the build.”
Horizon X is a 130m hydrogen-ready, high-speed catamaran ferry — part of Gotlandsbolaget’s innovative ‘Horizon X’ programme — and represents the largest vessel ever contracted to Austal. The ferry is designed to carry up to 1,500 passengers plus 400 vehicles and cargo and will be capable of operating on multiple fuel types, including future hydrogen and other low-emission alternatives. The ferry will be constructed using lightweight ‘green aluminium’, manufactured through energy-efficient processes to support reduced embodied carbon, and is scheduled for delivery in mid-2028. Once delivered, Horizon X will operate between the Swedish mainland and the island of Gotland, significantly shortening crossing times while supporting the company’s long-term climate-neutral goals.
The plate cutting ceremony signals the formal commencement of build activity for Horizon X at Austal Philippines, which, as one of Austal’s major commercial shipbuilding centres, has delivered more than 20 vessels to operators worldwide since 2012.
Image: Rendering of high-speed catamaran ‘Horizon X’ for Gotlandsbolaget (credit: Austal)
