Laid down 11 November 2003 Construction started 11 November 2003 Draft 4.06 m Capacity 1,350 Completed 12 April 2005 | Operator Fred Olsen Express Yard number H260 Christened 5 November 2004 Launched 2003 | |
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Benchijigua Express is a fast ferry, operated by shipping company Fred. Olsen S.A. between the Canary Islands, Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma in the Atlantic. It was delivered to Olsen in April 2005. At 127 metres (417 ft) long, the Benchijigua Express is the second-longest trimaran in the world, less than a metre shy of the Independence class littoral combat ship, which was based on Benchijigua Express's design. Her body is made of aluminium and with a special offshore coating; and is the second-largest vessel with an aluminium hull. The ship's name, derived from the village of Benchijigua on La Gomera where Fred Olsen had property, was previously used twice since 1999.
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Design and construction
The Benchijigua Express was built in Henderson, Western Australia by Austal. The vessel is 126.65 metres (415.5 ft) long, 30.4 metres (100 ft) wide, and has a draught of 4 metres (13 ft). She can reach speeds of 42 knots (78 km/h; 48 mph), although her normal service speed is 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph).
The vessel is powered by four diesel engines of MTU Series 8000 (20V 8000 M71L), each with 9,100 kW at 1,150 rpm driven electric generators, housed in two engine rooms. Each of the two diesels in the rear engine-room drive one Kamewa 125 SII steerable waterjet propulsion from Rolls-Royce. The overall performance of both machines at the front engine room is transferred to a Kamewa 180 BII booster waterjet. The electrical energy is generated by four MTU 12V 2000 M40 generator units.
Up to 1,291 passengers are distributed on two decks. Due to the short crossing time, there are no passenger cabins. For vehicle transport there are 123 car spaces and 450 metres (1,480 ft) of truck lane; the latter can be converted into an additional 218 car spaces. The vehicle deck can be loaded and unloaded in 30 minutes.
Predecessor
The ship's name is now used for the third time since 1999. The first Benchijigua Express (IMO number: 9206712) was entered into service in 1999 and renamed Bentayga Express in 1999. The second Benchijigua Express (IMO No: 9213337) started its service between Los Cristianos and San Sebastian in January 2000. In November 2004 she was renamed Bentago Express to free the name for this vessel.
Related designs
Austal and General Dynamics based the hull design of the Independence class littoral combat ship on the Benchijigua Express design.