The Australian shipbuilding company Austal has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Swedish Gotlandsbolaget to develop and implement the "Gotland Horizon X" which involves the construction of a class of High-speed ro-pax catamarans made of aluminum, with propulsion entrusted to gas turbines, capable of transporting up to 1,450 passengers. The agreement follows an initial letter of intent signed by the two parties in April 2023. Austal and Gotlandsbolaget foresee that, if the MoU is transformed into a new construction, the catamaran could be delivered in 2027.

Austal and Gotlandsbolaget have shown that the use of Gas turbines in the combined cycle of the powertrain, technology that has so far been tested on land, will be one of the development of great importance: specifying that the project is being working since last spring, Christer Bruzelius of, Gotland Tech Development explained that in this period the focus is on has been focused on 'optimising the ship to achieve the best balance of power, load capacity and velocity. We had to make some small changes, But on the whole, our plans are sound, the which is a demonstration of strength even if there is always a risk when you are a forerunner of a development."

Gotlandsbolaget, which through its subsidiary Destination Gotland, operates maritime services between the island of Gotland and Sweden is carrying out the project with the aim of win the new tender for the new concession relating to these routes for the period 2027-2035.

"Gotland Horizon X - said the administrator Austal's delegate, Paddy Gregg - it's a project incredibly exciting that will redefine capabilities of commercial ferries as it is equipped with a cycle propulsion combined multi-fuel and hydrogen, and a hull design efficient and state-of-the-art for the category."