AWARDS 2022 | Best Medium Tourist Boat – Kalibobo Express – SeaCat Ships
A very sleek, safe, comfortable, well-finished and, above all, economical aluminium catamaran from the Australian/Thai company that specialises in such vessels.
Designed to operate in remote northern Papua New Guinea waters, this tour boat incorporates the high bridge deck common to all vessels from the same design and construction team. The end result is a comfortable ride in the prevailing choppy seas experienced offshore there.
"The vessel boasts fantastic speed for a low power ratio," Paul Birgan, Director of SeaCat Ships told Baird Maritime. "It is also suitable for offshore operation, and the robust construction and simple engineering systems result in ease of operation."
Birgan added that the vessel is economical to purchase with low fuel burn and is capable of beach, dock, and water loading.
Birgan said the challenge in the construction lay mainly in post-Covid supply chain issues as well as design impacts for offshore operation considering the vessel's size. The vessel itself also needed to be delivered on its own power due to transport cost increases.
"Shipbuilding has encountered cost increases affecting items such as aluminium. There are also price increases, availability issues, and delays associated with the shipment of components."
Birgan nonetheless remarked that 2022 was a good recovery year for SeaCat Ships due to the successful launching of three aluminium catamarans for operators in Australia, Thailand, and Papua New Guinea. Construction has even begun on a 26-metre dive boat for an Australian customer. The company remains busy, but there is still available capacity for accommodating new orders in 2023.
"Our industry will continue to re-grow after the difficulties faced during the Covid years," Birgan told Baird Maritime. "We are an Australian/Thai company offering Australian know-how matched with skilled and highly trained Thai professionals, which gives us a distinct advantage. I see expansion being on the agenda over the next few years."
He added that the future will offer opportunities relating to climate change, whether in the form of zero-emission or alternative fuel propulsion systems to the supply of vessels that will service wind farms.
"Hopefully, operators will see the advantages of ordering quality newbuild vessels to replace their fleets rather than spending a small fortune refitting old non-efficient hulks," Birgan replied, describing the future of the Australian workboat industry. "I see a large demand for aluminium catamaran ferries to service the transportation and traffic problems of major cities. Also the trend towards alternative, non-fossil fuel-powered systems will continue, as will the growing preference for wind farms and offshore wind support vessels."
For a list of the 2022 "Best Of" award winners, please click here.
