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Posted by Allen Newton
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11 February, 2026
WEST Australian-based shipbuilder Austal has begun work on the biggest vessel it has ever built.
The project at Austal’s Philippines shipyard is for construction of Horizon X, the next-generation high-speed ferry for Sweden’s Gotlandsbolaget.
A plate cutting ceremony was held on 5 February at the Austal Philippines shipyard in Balamban, Cebu.
Austal chief executive Paddy Gregg said the plate cutting milestone reflected both market confidence in Austal’s shipbuilding excellence and the project’s importance in advancing sustainable commercial ferry solutions.
“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,” Mr Gregg said.
According to Mr Gregg, achieving meaningful decarbonisation in commercial shipping would require a flexible, technology-agnostic approach.
“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," he said.
"Horizon X has been designed with that flexibility at its core.”
Gotlandsbolaget chief executive Björn Nilsson said the milestone marked an important step in the company’s fleet strategy and commitment to cutting-edge maritime technology.
“We are pleased to see construction underway and to celebrate this moment alongside Austal and the skilled shipbuilders here in Balamban," ,” Mr Nilsson said.
"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 130-metre, 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 and 400 vehicles and cargo and will be capable of operating on multiple fuel types, including future hydrogen and other low-emission alternatives.
An Austal media release said the ferry would be built using lightweight “green aluminium”, manufactured through energy-efficient processes to support reduced embodied carbon, and is scheduled for delivery in mid-2028, with hull fabrication commencing in the first half of 2026.
“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 release said.
“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.”
