Why countries order ferries from foreign shipyards

Is there precedent for ordering ferries worth several billion dollars from a competing country?

Foreign construction is a familiar solution when domestic yards lack suitable capability or capacity; even Britain's fleet tankers were built in South Korea.

Few countries can build every type of vessel domestically. Britain emphasizes domestic warship construction but bought fleet tankers from South Korean yards. Commercial yards must have both the capability and available capacity for the work, and yards that already build the required type can often offer a cheaper option. Ferry suppliers include builders in the Netherlands, Finland, China, and Japan. The choice depends on the type of ferry required and the capabilities available.