Villum Clausen Recognised For Design Excellence and Environmental Performance

The Austal built 86 metre gas turbine Auto Express, Villum Clausen, regarded as the world’s most environmentally friendly fast ferry, has been awarded a prestigious design award.

Austal was presented with the Western Australian Industry and Export Design Award for the development of the 86 metre gas turbine catamaran recognising commitment to design excellence, the engineering innovations and environmental benchmarks set by the vessel.

Built to the most stringent fast ferry regulations in the world (the Danish Administration), Austal has proved that environmental protection is achievable without compromising commercial imperatives. Significantly, this vessel also smashed the world 24 hour distance record by a commercial passenger ship enroute to Denmark in March. Since then, she has carried over 250,000 people for BornholmsTrafikken between Denmark and Sweden in her first season.

In addition to Villum Clausen’s Design Award, Austal’s manufacturing excellence was also recognised by the 2000 Western Australian Industry and Export Awards. Austal received the Large Manufacturers Award and to top off the accolades, received the discretionary Premier’s Award For Overall Excellence in recognition of outstanding contribution and commitment to Western Australian Industry.