![855e2c5ce3022dc94b2a6dd974e0bacf](http://media.assettype.com/bairdmaritime%2Fimport%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fmedia%2Fk2%2Fitems%2Fsrc%2F855e2c5ce3022dc94b2a6dd974e0bacf.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
Austal has begun preparations for negotiating and resolving the terms of the purchase of a newbuild catamaran ferry by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago following Prime Minister Keith Rowley's announcement of the said purchase.
The release of a down payment will allow design of the vessel to commence and for initial long lead materials to be procured.
The vessel will be a 94-metre high-speed catamaran for operation on the sea bridge between Trinidad and Tobago.
The ferry is a variant of two 109-metre high-speed catamarans currently in production at Austal.
Other details have not been released at this time. Contract finalisation is not expected for several weeks.