Fred Olsen Orders Trimaran from Austal

Australian shipbuilder Austal Ships and European ferry operator Fred. Olsen, S.A. signed a contract for a 126.7 metre cargo-vehicle-passenger fast ferry based on a new multihull design. 

 

The new hull form has been described as a slender, stabilised monohull or trimaran. Scheduled delivery is the second half of 2004. 

 

Austal has designed and constructed vehicle-passenger ferries since 1994.

 

Fred. Olsen, S.A. pioneered the use of large high-speed ferries in the Canary Islands and currently operates three fast ferries and two conventional vessels. The company carries almost three million passengers, half a million cars and a quarter of a million cargo vehicles per year in the five services that it offers in the Canary Islands. One of their conventional vessels will be replaced in September by a new 66 metre Auto Express catamaran on order at Austal Ships.

 

Mr. Fred Olsen Jnr., Executive Chairman of Fred. Olsen, S.A. said, ãWe wanted to combine the good comfort provided by the soft movement of monohulls, with the low resistance and very good stability and carrying capacity of catamarans. Maintaining high speed was also important to us so we were looking for increased engine power, without entering into gas turbines technology which would have led to unacceptably higher operating costs.ä

 

With power provided by four diesel engines driving waterjets, the Auto Express 126 trimaran will be able to maintain Fred. Olsen S.Aâs projected service speed in excess of 40 knots and provides the capacity to carry 1,350 passengers, over 340 cars and a substantial number of trucks.

 

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