Council has awarded a long-term contract to construct double-decker CityCats to Aus Ships, a Murarrie-based ship builder.
The new supplier will be replacing another Murarrie-based supplier, Norman R. Wright and Sons, Brisbane City Council’s supplier since 2003. Norman R. Wright and Sons delivered six Second Generation and 7 Third Generation CityCat vessels.
Aus Ships has been named the preferred supplier of Council’s future vessels after winning the two-year tender to build the next-generation double-decker CityCats. The two-year contract can be extended to a maximum of ten years, with a total budget of $60 million spread over the ten-year term.
Photo credit:Norman R. Wright & Sons / wrightsons.com.au
Headquartered within the Rivergate Marina & Shipyard precinct, Aus Ships has delivered the first of the seven double-decker CityCat vessels, CityCat 22 or “Yoogera,” which was launched in 26 November 2019. The $3.7-million CityCat 22 can carry a total of 170 passengers with an upper deck seating of 20 passengers and rear deck seating for 16 passengers and space for 10 bikes.
Photo credit:Norman R. Wright & Sons / wrightsons.com.au
The Council currently operates a fleet of 21 CityCats (8 First Generation vessels, 6 Second Generation vessels, and 7 Third Generation vessels), along with nine monohull ferries, within a network of 25 terminals from Northshore Hamilton to St Lucia. Transdev Brisbane Ferries currently operates the Council’s ferry network, which contract is also due to expire in November 2020.
Aus Ships is expected to begin building the second double decker next year with a price tag of almost $4 million.