Western Australia-based shipyard Strategic Marine, a part of Triyards Holdings Limited (TRIYARDS), has secured a new contract with Dutch ferry operator Rederij Doeksen for the construction of two LNG-powered aluminium catamarans. The contract is worth approximately US$50.1m (EUR44m).

Developed by nautical design company BMT Nigel Gee, the two RoPax ferries will feature new single-fuel LNG propulsion system and will have the capacity to carry up to 600 passengers and 64 cars.

The construction of the vessels is to commence in summer 2016 and the delivery is slated for the second quarter of 2018, according to Triyards.

"We foresee an increased focus in the environmental aspects of marine transportation and LNG emerging as the fuel of choice for vessels and ferries. Our focus on the large ferry market is beginning to reap the desired results with this recent win, as we continue to focus on the vertical product chain for aluminium vessels," said Mark Schiller, Strategic Marine's Chief Executive Officer.