Scottish Naval Architect Dr Stuart Ballantyne to Revolutionize Shipbuilding Industry in Fiji

The Clyde Catamaran Group, led by Dr. Stuart Ballantyne, has abandoned plans to create a fleet of 50 catamarans in Scotland due to a lack of interest from ministers and state-owned ferry operators CMAL. Instead, Ballantyne’s Australian marine design firm, Sea Transport Corp, has entered into a major shipbuilding project with the Fiji government. The project aims to revitalize the shipyard in Suva and provide skills training for welders, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, draftsmen, and administrators. The Fiji government plans to construct two undercover dry docks on the western side of Viti Levu, the largest island in Fiji, to facilitate the construction and repair of ships. Sea Transport Corp will supply kits of their “proven” vessel designs, including catamarans and stern landing vessels, for the project.

The Clyde Catamaran Group had proposed building catamaran ferries for Scotland’s CalMac, which would have cost significantly less than the current ferry-building program. The group claims that the savings in operating subsidy would have exceeded £1 billion over a 20-year period. However, the project was not pursued due to a lack of interest from ministers and CMAL’s preference for monohull boats. The group believes that the project would have revitalized the shipbuilding industry in Scotland and provided cheaper and faster boats that would reduce emissions.

Source: Google News .