Buquebus Adds Austal 82 Metre Auto Express Ferry to Spanish Fleet

Not known for their regular name changes or livery makeovers it was interesting to note that after long service on the English Channel and Irish Sea the Austal Auto Express 82, “Superstar Express”, has recently been added to the Buquebus Spanish fleet to operate on the Algeciras - Ceuta route.

Whilst the ferry is soon to be renamed, “Superstar Express” was originally delivered in 1997 as the seventh vessel in a current fleet of twenty five, large Auto Express ferries delivered by Austal to operators worldwide. With a capacity of 900 passengers and 175 cars the ferry can operate at up to 40 knots.

New Austal deliveries for 2005 include the 127 metre trimaran, “Benchijigua Express” for fellow Spanish operator, Fred.Olsen, S.A. of the Canary Islands and the 85 metre catamaran, “HighSpeed 5” for Hellenic Seaways of Greece.

Also operating in Spain for the Euroferries company is the 101 metre, Auto Express catamaran “Euroferrys Pacifica”.