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SYDNEY (BNS): Australian Government will procure eight new next generation 102 meter trimaran (patrol boats) from Austal for its border services.

This contract is Austal’s second significant contract with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, having designed and constructed Customs’ current fleet of eight Bay Class vessels, which have been in operation for over 10 years.

Austal will build the fleet of Cape Class Patrol Boats at its shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.

By February 2012, construction of the first vessel is expected to commence and the other boasts will be delivered between March 2013 to August 2015.

The eight 57.8m Cape Class Patrol Boats will play a significant role in protecting Australia’s borders from multiple maritime threats.

The boat have been designed to have greater range, endurance and flexibility, as well as enhanced capability to operate in more severe sea conditions than the current Customs’ fleet.