Southampton hovercraft manufacturer lands £25m deal
Griffon Hoverwork will supply three passenger hovercraft to Japan
Last updated 24th Nov 2021
A Southampton-based hovercraft manufacturer has landed one of its biggest ever deals.
Griffon Hoverwork in Woolston has signed a £25m contract to supply three passenger hovercraft to Japan.
The 12000TD craft is already used by Hovertravel between Ryde and Southsea.
The hovercraft will provide a passenger service connecting Oita Airport in Kunisaki with Oita City.
Work on the first hovercraft will start at the end of January, with the final craft set to be delivered to before January 2024.
The 23 metre long craft will carry approximately 80 people with a payload of 12 tonnes and a top speed of 45 knots.
Adrian Went, managing director at Griffon Hoverwork, said: "Overseas clients continue to come to Griffon for the quality that we deliver.
"Our team are all very much looking forward to working with this latest esteemed customer and providing them with the latest British developed technology.
"Our work will also allow the restart of a dependable hovercraft passenger route serving the people and visitors of Oita.
"The project will provide opportunities across the range of roles in our business, from graduate engineers to supply chain activity."