Auto Express 92 Debuts in the Aegean

“Highspeed 4”, the Auto Express 92 built for Minoan Flying Dolphins, has made an impressive debut in the Aegean operating at near full capacity between Piraeus and the beautiful islands of Naxos and Paros, making two return journeys per day.

The large 92 metre catamaran has a maximum deadweight of 470 tonnes and the capacity to carry 1050 passengers (200 VIP, 196 Business, 654 Tourist) and 188 cars (or 150 cars and 4 coaches). The scheduled turnaround times on the islands are between 15 and 30 minutes.

“Highspeed 4” is the largest fast ferry in Minoan’s extensive fleet, which also includes the Austal vessels “Highspeed 2” (72 metres, May 2000), “Highspeed 3” (72 metres, July 2000) and the smaller 48 metre passenger catamaran “Flying Dolphin 2000” (June 1998).

The three Auto Express vessels designed for Minoan encompass a wide range of technologically advanced applications and have been uniquely customised to their operating conditions, making the Minoan fleet one of the most sophisticated in operation.

As first featured on the first Auto Express 72 delivered to Greece, “Highspeed 4” also features the Seastate Tmax high speed steering system and many specific design features such as hydraulically operated passenger-loading gangways. These hinge off the waterjet guards fitted to the aft end of each hull to ensure safe and fast passenger access. The gangways and the length of the car ramp have also been designed to suit the typically low quays found in the Mediterranean.

PRINCIPAL DATA – HIGHSPEED 4
Length Overall: 92.6 metres
Beam (moulded): 24.0 metres
Depth (moulded): 7.8 metres
Hull Draft (approx.): 3.9 metres
Maximum Axle Load: 12 tonnes
Motion Control: Seastate
Main Engines: 4 x Caterpillar 3618
Service Speed: 40.5 knots.