New Orleans Regional Transit Authority’s new passenger ferry RTA 1. Credit: Metal Shark.

Shipbuilding company Metal Shark has completed the construction of two high-speed passenger ferries for the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in Louisiana, US.

The aluminium catamaran passenger vessels, RTA 1 and RTA 2, are 105ft-long and designed to carry 150 passengers.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

In July, Metal Shark delivered the first vessel to New Orleans RTA. The company is expected to deliver RTA 2 at the discretion of New Orleans RTA.

Metal Shark has used its shipyard in Franklin, Louisiana, to build RTA 2, which underwent the US Coast Guard inspections at the same yard last month.

Following deployment, both the ferries will replace New Orleans RTA’s outdated ferries that are currently operated across the city.

Powered by a pair of 715hp Cat C-18 Tier 3 diesel engines, the ferries are equipped with low wake/low wash, high-efficiency hull designs for reduced environmental impact.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
“In the past 18 months, we have delivered over 14 150-passenger and 350-passenger ferries to New York, Washington, DC.”

BMT Designers and Planners has designed the RTA-compliant vessels.

RTA 1 and RTA 2 are developed to abide by the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) Subchapter ‘T’ rules.

Metal Shark CEO Chris Allard said: “In the past 18 months, we have delivered over 14 150-passenger and 350-passenger ferries to New York, Washington, DC, and now New Orleans.

“As a local Louisiana company, it has been an honour to build these modern, comfortable new vessels for the people of New Orleans and visitors from around the world.”