Bonanza Express: fast and flexible

A 96m dedicated ro-pax fast ferry, built by Australia`s Incat has entered service for Spain`s Lineas Fred Olsen SA.

Discussions between Australian yard Incat and the Spanish ferry operator Lineas Fred Olsen have been ongoing for years, but it was not until the introduction of Incat`s 96m class of fast wavepiercing catamarans, that Fred Olsen really sat up and took notice. The 96m class was able to offer the Spanish operator the flexibility to meet seasonal and market fluctuations, with its ability to carry large volumes of passengers, cars and heavy freight vehicles. The cost of building the vessel, which was launched at the end of January this year, was in the region of $45 million.

Lineas Fred Olsen has been operating a ferry service between the Canary Islands, situated off the north west coast of Africa, since the mid-1970s. The company operates on five routes and its fleet of four conventional ferries has recently been boosted by the arrival of Bonanza Express. The latest addition to the fleet has been put into service between the ports of Santa Cruz on Tenerife and Agaete on the island of Gran Canaria, and has reduced the journey time on the 35 nautical mile route from 2hr 15 mins to 1hr.

The vessel is a near sister to the 96m Devil Cat but has undergone slight modifications resulting in, among other things, an increase in passenger capacity. The latest newbuilding incorporates several design features which allow it to carry a significant number of heavy freight vehicles, one of Fred Olsen`s main stipulations. The vessel can, says Incat, almost carry its own deadweight Š 800t Š in light and heavy freight.