Fred. Olsen, S.A. Confirms Route for Austal’s Giant Trimaran

Austal fields a wave of industry interest as ferry takes shape.

Austal Ships’ ground-breaking Auto Express 126.7 metre cargo-vehicle-passenger trimaran currently under construction for Spanish ferry operator Fred. Olsen, S.A. is rapidly taking shape at the Henderson shipyard in Western Australia.

After it is delivered later this year, the new trimaran will operate in the Canary Islands on the routes from Los Cristianos, Tenerife to San Sebastian, Gomera and the island of Palma as “Benchijigua Express”. Replacing a smaller vessel of the same name, the new fast ferry will sail at loaded speeds in excess of 40 knots, providing capacity for 1,350 passengers, over 340 cars and more than 400 freight lane-metres.

The superior seakeeping performance of the trimaran will improve passenger comfort by up to 40% compared to Fred. Olsen, S.A.’s existing fast ferries and is also expected to result in noticeably higher levels of operability in adverse weather conditions. Overall efficiency in terms of passenger capacity, deadweight and freight lane metres will be increased by more than 35%.

Even before the Austal Auto Express 126 takes to the water, heads are being turned in the shipping industry says Austal Managing Director, Mr Bob McKinnon.

“Media coverage and industry discussion is certainly generating considerable interest from both the ferry and military sectors in this highly versatile and capable vessel,” he said.

“As a result we have given a number of key decision makers detailed briefings on this and other trimaran designs.”

While presentations have been received very positively, Mr McKinnon said by far the greatest impact was being made on the steady stream of people visiting the shipyard to view the vessel under construction.

“When entering the building hall the initial reaction of visitors to the yard is one of amazement, not just at the sheer size of the vessel, but at how far advanced construction is. They go away highly impressed, of that there is no doubt,” he said.

One such visitor was Mr. Fred Olsen Jnr, Executive Chairman of Fred. Olsen, S.A., who came to the shipyard earlier in the year and continues to monitor progress on the company’s latest acquisition with interest.

“We are very pleased with progress in building this unique vessel and in the Canary Islands anticipation is growing as we forward to its arrival and inauguration between Gomera, La Palma and Tenerife” said Mr Olsen.

“In keeping with tradition the trimaran will be named “Benchijigua Express”, the fifth vessel to carry the “Benchijigua” name on the route and a fitting way to mark the service’s thirtieth anniversary” he said.

Construction is continuing on schedule and the vessel is clearly recognisable as a trimaran, with the excellence of Austal’s design, fabrication and engineering skills continuing to emerge week by week.

The stern of the vessel is easily identifiable with the waterjet ducts now in place, while on the hulls plating work is proceeding. In fact standing in Austal’s vast building hall one is left with no doubt that they are indeed looking at the world’s largest trimaran, the amahs (side hulls) providing recognisable shape to the growing structure. Above the hull the superstructure upper deck and observation deck extends over the midship section of the vessel and the forward cabin and roof structure have been erected. Even fitout work on the bridge has commenced and the forward console structure and laminate surfaces are now in place.

“This ship is clearly being viewed by many as the benchmark for a new generation of large fast ferries,” Bob McKinnon said. “Seeing it grow is certainly exhilarating, not just for Austal but for the whole industry. There is a great sense of anticipation and we are really looking forward to demonstrating just how big a breakthrough it is when sea trials get underway in a few months time.”

ENDS