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Austal Vietnam has broadened its shipbuilding capabilities with the completion of its first vessel combining aluminium and steel construction, handing over the newly built Dory 2 to French Polynesian operator Degage Group. The 71-metre roll-on/roll-off passenger and cargo ferry formally changed hands during a ceremony held at the company's Vung Tau shipyard on 15 June, following the successful conclusion of its sea trial programme.
{alcircleadd}Designed by Austal Australia, the vessel represents a departure from Austal Vietnam's long-established focus on aluminium shipbuilding. While the hull has been fabricated in steel, the superstructure has been built from aluminium, signalling the yard's move into multi-material vessel construction. Work on the project began in 2024, before the ship was launched earlier this year in March.
The latest delivery also extends a long-standing relationship between Austal and Degage Group. Since 2003, the French Polynesian operator has taken delivery of seven vessels from the Australian shipbuilder, including the 66-metre Apetahi Express, which entered service in 2023. Commenting on the addition to the fleet, Degage Group owner and Managing Director Eugene Degage described Dory 2 as an important new asset for the company's operations.
The ferry has been purpose-built for services linking Papeete with the Palliser Islands in French Polynesia. Accommodation has been configured for up to 140 seated passengers alongside a crew of 17, while the vessel is capable of maintaining a cruising speed of 12 knots and operating across distances of up to 1,000 nautical miles.
Freight transport forms a significant part of the vessel's role. Its 494-square-metre cargo deck has been designed to handle containers, palletised cargo and vehicles, with a maximum carrying capacity of 1,400 tonnes.
Based in Vung Tau, Austal Vietnam serves as the company's shipbuilding hub in the region and has traditionally specialised in aluminium vessel construction. The completion of Dory 2 marks the yard's first project to incorporate both steel and aluminium within a single build, reflecting an expansion of its manufacturing capabilities.
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