Fast freight service studied

Fast freight service studied

SINGAPORE (DPA): An Australian fast craft builder is exploring
the feasibility of a daily fast freight catamaran service between
Singapore and Jakarta, it was reported on Tuesday.

Austal Ships marketing manager Chris Pemberton said two
regional shipping lines have been approached about an alliance so
far and he is pleased with the responses.

Under the proposal, the Singapore-Jakarta service would deploy
two vessels at a speed of 40 knots with a total sailing time of
12 to 13 hours for the 525 nautical mile route.

Austal Ships hopes to lead the alliance of four to five
parties comprising a ship owner, ship operator, logistics company
and port operator in the next three months.

"After three months, we will form a company to order two
vessels which will be built in 12 months," Pemberton told the
Shipping Times. He predicted the service will start by mid-2001.