Austal, a global leader in shipbuilding, today marked a major milestone in the construction of the Horizon X, the next-generation high-speed ferry for Sweden’s Gotlandsbolaget. A plate-cutting ceremony was held at Austal’s state-of-the-art shipyard in Balamban, Cebu, officially launching the build of the hydrogen-ready ferry.
The ceremony was hosted by Austal Asia President Wayne Murray and attended by key representatives from both Austal and Gotlandsbolaget. Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg and Gotlandsbolaget Chief Executive Officer Björn Nilsson jointly recognized the official start of construction, underscoring the strengthened partnership between the two companies.
“We are immensely proud of this milestone, which reflects not only the trust in Austal’s shipbuilding excellence but also the project’s significance in advancing sustainable ferry solutions,” said Mr. Gregg. “Horizon X will be a world-leading hydrogen-ready high-speed ferry, and the largest vessel Austal has ever built. Its innovative multi-fuel design, featuring a combined cycle propulsion system that integrates gas and steam turbines, will redefine efficiency in the ferry sector and drive the adoption of greener technologies.”
The Horizon X represents a bold step in Austal’s ongoing commitment to decarbonization in commercial shipping. Mr. Gregg emphasized that achieving meaningful decarbonization requires flexible, technology-agnostic solutions that allow operators to adapt as alternative fuels and infrastructure evolve. “Horizon X is designed with that flexibility at its core,” he stated.
Gotlandsbolaget’s CEO Björn Nilsson also highlighted the significance of the project. “The start of Horizon X’s construction marks an important step in our fleet strategy and commitment to cutting-edge maritime technology. This ferry combines speed, capacity, and sustainability to meet our long-term climate-neutral goals. We are excited to partner with Austal and look forward to the journey ahead.”
The Horizon X is a 130-meter-long high-speed catamaran ferry designed to carry up to 1,500 passengers and 400 vehicles. As part of Gotlandsbolaget’s Horizon X program, the vessel will be capable of operating on multiple fuel types, including hydrogen and other low-emission alternatives. It will be constructed using lightweight “green aluminium,” manufactured through energy-efficient processes to reduce the ferry’s embodied carbon footprint.
Scheduled for delivery in mid-2028, Horizon X will significantly improve transportation between the Swedish mainland and Gotland, shortening travel times while supporting Gotlandsbolaget’s climate-neutral objectives. Hull fabrication is set to begin in the first half of 2026.
The plate-cutting ceremony marks the formal commencement of build activities at Austal’s Philippines shipyard, one of the company’s major commercial shipbuilding centers. Since 2012, the facility has delivered more than 20 vessels to operators worldwide, reaffirming Austal’s global leadership in high-performance vessel construction.
