Post by ferryfast admin on Dec 10, 2007 11:54:19 GMT -5
AUSTAL PHOTO'S
Las Vegas Sands Launches New High-Speed Ferry Service Between Hong Kong and Macao
CotaiJet Offering Adds Important Incremental Transportation Capacity to the Pearl River Delta Region
MACAO, Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) announced today that it has initiated high-speed ferry service between Hong Kong's Macao Ferry Terminal at Shun Tak Centre and Macao's newly opened Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal on Macao's Taipa Island.
With today's launch of the new CotaiJet service, which is being managed by Cotai Chu Kong Shipping Management Services Co., Ltd. of Hong Kong, visitors and residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and the Pearl River Delta region may now enjoy additional transportation options, and important incremental transportation capacity, between the two Special Administrative Regions.
The first CotaiJet, dubbed The Grand Canal Shoppes, departed Macao at 8:30 a.m. this morning and after completing her inaugural voyage to Hong Kong, docked at Hong Kong's Macao Ferry Terminal at Shun Tak Centre at 9:30 a.m. Her return voyage from Hong Kong to Macao took place at approximately 10:00 a.m. today and she arrived back at the Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal, which is located just a short distance from both the Macao International Airport and the Cotai Strip(TM), at approximately 11:00 a.m. today.
"As Hong Kong, Macao, and the wider Pearl River Delta enjoy increasing levels of visitation from throughout Asia and around the world, investments in transportation infrastructure will be vital to the continuing development of the region as a leading leisure and convention destination," said Mr. William Weidner, president of Las Vegas Sands Corp. "This new service will offer visitors to the region, and residents of Hong Kong, Macao and southern China, important additional transportation options on the increasingly utilized Hong Kong-Macao route. In addition, visitors to Macao will have the opportunity to arrive directly on Taipa Island in close proximity to The Venetian Macao and the Cotai Strip(TM)."
Weidner said the additional arrival point in Macao will help to alleviate a portion of the current traffic congestion on the Macao peninsula and enable increasing levels of visitation to both Macao and the wider region for years to come.
The Grand Canal Shoppes vessel is one of three 47.5 meter hi-tech passenger catamarans providing LVS's CotaiJet service. The CotaiJet service features 20 sailings per day, 10 each from Hong Kong and Macao, with service beginning at 7am each day. An additional seven boats, bringing the fleet of CotaiJets to 10, are expected to be placed into service throughout 2008.
Each custom-built catamaran has the capacity to carry more than 400 passengers and operate at top speeds of approximately 42 knots. CotaiJet service will feature first-class dining options, convenient booking of Cotai Strip entertainment offerings, as well as on-board hotel check-in services for visitors to the Cotai Strip.
"With its wide-range of business, exhibition and convention facilities and world-class entertainment, all complimented by an incredible Venetian-style shopping, dining, and recreation experience, the Cotai Strip was specifically designed to help transform Macao into a multi-day stay destination," said Mr. Stephen Weaver, president of Asia Region, Las Vegas Sands Corp. "The launch of our sea-borne transportation system, which would not have been possible without the strong support of authorities in Hong Kong, Macao, and the wider region, is an important component in our collective efforts to transform the region as a whole into one of the world's leading business and leisure destinations."
Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are "forward looking" statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward- looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond the Company's control, which may cause material differences in actual results, performance or other expectations. These factors include, but are not limited to general economic conditions, competition, new ventures, government regulation, legalization of gaming, interest rates, future terrorist acts, insurance, and other factors detailed in the reports filed by Las Vegas Sands Corp. with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ABOUT LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP.
Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) is one of the leading international developers of multi-use integrated resorts.
The Las Vegas, Nevada-based company owns and operates The Venetian Resort- Hotel-Casino and the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas and The Venetian Macao Resort-Hotel and the Sands Macao in the People's Republic of China (PRC) Special Administrative Region of Macao. The company is currently constructing three additional integrated resorts: The Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas; Sands Bethworks(TM) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; and The Marina Bay Sands(TM) in Singapore.
LVS is also creating the Cotai Strip(TM), a master-planned development of resort-casino properties in Macao. Additionally, the company is working with the Zhuhai Municipal People's Government of the PRC to master-plan the development of a leisure resort and convention complex on Hengqin Island in the PRC.
Contacts:
Investment Community: Scott Henry (702) 733-5502
Media: Ron Reese (702) 414-3607
SOURCE Las Vegas Sands Corp.
11/30/2007
CONTACT: Investment Community, Scott Henry, +1-702-733-5502, or Media,
Ron Reese, +1-702-414-3607, both for Las Vegas Sands Corp.
Web site: www.venetian.com
(LVS)
AUSTAL
www.austal.com/
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Previous article from Austal:
1 March 2007
New Ferries To Provide A Luxury High Speed Passenger Service
Austal announces the recent multiple ferry orders are for Venetian Marketing Services Limited (VMSL). This represents ten 48 metre passenger catamaran ferries awarded following a competitive international tender process.
Adding to its fleet of thirty six vessels delivered to China / Hong Kong waters Austal was able to deliver a proven solution and the best overall package. This included meeting a challenging delivery schedule for the boats to be in operation in 2007 and 2008.
With the capacity to carry 411 passengers at a service speed of 42 knots, the ferries will provide a link from Hong Kong locations to the new Pac On Ferry Terminal being built by the Macau Government to provide a service to The Cotai Strip on Macau. The Cotai Strip will incorporate a wide range of shopping, entertainment, gaming and convention activities that are currently being constructed.
When opened in 2007, The Venetian Macao will provide a fully integrated resort destination with unmatched entertainment, convention, gaming and hotel facilities. The first class resort in Macau will be supported by a first class ferry service delivering visitors and guests to their destinations on The Cotai Strip.
In conjunction with speed, comfort and outstanding interior finishes it was also imperative that the builder had a proven track record of excellence in production and achieving aggressive delivery schedules, supported by a proven level of performance to assure a reliable service could be maintained.
Commenting on the order and the impressive development projects currently under construction, Austal’s Executive Chairman, John Rothwell said;
“With thirty-six Austal passenger vessels in nearby operations it is a pleasure to be once again doing business in the Hong Kong region. We look forward to these ferries providing a valuable connection service befitting what will be an extremely high quality development when completed.”
With, more than half of the world's population, living within a five-hour flight from the enclave, Macau's established road, air and sea transportation network is easily available to most of this region. Already, the Hong Kong to Macau passenger ferry service is the world’s largest single route in terms of passenger numbers. In the last six months of 2006, 3,962,500 passengers travelled to Macau from Hong Kong, up 6% on the same period of 2005.
The new ferries will add a dedicated transport link to supply The Cotai Strip. In addition to the 411 passengers carried by each ferry on two decks, special cranage and storage for passengers’ luggage is also included. The cabin areas include Beurteaux Club and Executive seats with leather finish accompanied by aircraft style overhead lockers to provide a carry-on baggage capacity. Combined with electronic ticketing and onboard hotel check-in, the intention is for the new ferries to provide a seamless final connection for The Cotai Strip’s guests and visitors.
Powered by four MTU 16 cylinder 4000 series diesel engines driving a Rolls Royce / KaMeWa waterjet propulsion system, each ferry is additionally fitted with transom mounted SeaState Interceptors providing an active high speed ride control system for maximum passenger comfort.
The vessels are being built in accordance with the requirements and under the survey of
Det Norske Veritas, conforming to the International Maritime Organisation High Speed Craft code (HSC 2000) in conjunction with the Hong Kong Marine Department requirements for high speed ferries.
PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS
Length Overall: 47.5 metres
Length Waterline: 43.8 metres
Beam Moulded: 11.8 metres
Hull Depth Moulded: 3.8 metres
Maximum Draft: 1.6 metres
Maximum deadweight: 70 tonnes
Passengers: 411
Crew: 8
Fuel (maximum): 20,000 litres
PROPULSION
Engines: 4 x MTU 16V 4000 M70; 2320kW at 2000rpm each
Gearboxes: 4 x Reintjes VLJ 930
Waterjets: 4 x Kamewa 63 SII
Speed:42 knots
SURVEY
Classification: Det Norske Veritas +1A1 HSLC Passenger R2 EO
Also under construction at Austal are;
2 x 105 metre, catamaran vehicle-passenger ferries for Hawaii Superferry.
2 x 88 metre, catamaran vehicle-passenger ferries for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
2 x 66 metre, high speed, catamaran multi-purpose vehicle-passenger ferries for The Sultanate of Oman.
2 x 127 metre, trimaran high speed Littoral Combat Ship for the US Navy.
4 x 57 metre, monohull Armidale Class patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy (10 already delivered).
2 x 47 metre catamaran ferries vessels for New World First Ferry (Macau)
57 metre, monohull private cruise vessel.
38 metre monohull private vessel
For more information see www.venetianmacao.com
Click here to access The Australian's article "Behind the poker face of a gambler"
Contact: Austal
Phone: 61 8 9410 1111
Fax: 61 8 9410 2564
Email: pubrel@austal.com