Sunferries is set to welcome a new multi-million dollar passenger ferry into its fleet this weekend with the arrival of Fantome Cat from Brisbane.

Built by Aluminium Boats Australia, the new $4 million dollar vessel is an improvement in design from previously contracted Sunferries vessels including Sun Cat and Maggie Cat built in 2007.

‘Fantome Cat was commissioned as part of Sunferries' commitment to continuously update our fleet and maintain the high quality of service for the local Magnetic Island, Townsville and Palm Island communities,' Sunferries General Manager Darin McDonald said.

Fantome Cat is set to be the premier Sunferries vessel with new features including seating for 308 passengers, increased fuel efficiency, extended upper deck roof line providing enhanced sheltering from the elements, improved ‘ride control' resulting in smoother ferry rides, disabled toilet facilities and state-of-the-art navigation equipment.

‘We have paid very close attention to detail with the design of this vessel and have followed the construction process all the way from initial design stages through to the final water testing,' Mr McDonald said.

Named after the Navy ship HMAS Fantome, Fantome Cat is to make its inaugural journey across Cleveland Bay on Tuesday March 30 for the Magnetic Island service.

With the new vessel set to launch in just days, Sunferries are already planning the construction of another new vessel for the Magnetic Island and Palm Island services.

‘With a regular ferry schedule of 19 return services to Magnetic Island daily and an aim to increase the Palm Island services from four to five in the coming year, improving the standard of our fleet is the obvious answer.

‘Build time for a new vessel is approximately seven months and again we will follow the construction process all the way to maintain the quality of vessels and ensure the needs of our customers are met,' Mr McDonald said.

‘Our existing vessels Reef Cat and Sunbird have recently undergone extensive upgrades to the vessel interior and the engines and continue to be serviced by our maintenance team to ensure the vessels are in top shape for our Magnetic Island, Townsville and Palm Island communities'.

Sunferries fleet of passenger ferries operating the Magnetic Island and Palm Island services consists of Fantome Cat, Reef Cat and Sunbird.