austal's economical express for fred. olsen - Austal Ships

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Austal has also developed versions of the Auto Express 66 that feature more powerful enginesfor even higher speeds and mezzanine vehicle decks to increase capacity up to 129 cars. GlennWilliams says these variants also have significantly superior performance than competingmonohulls.“Under realistic loading conditions, the Auto Express 66 would be 1.5 to 2 knots faster than amonohull that has far less car capacity and more installed power. Overall that monohull will use85 per cent more fuel per car per mile while travelling slower – these figures speak forthemselves.”Visiting Austal’s Henderson shipyard in the early part of September for the final trials of thevessel, Mr Fred Olsen Jnr, Executive Chairman of Fred. Olsen, SA said he was delighted withthe new addition to his fleet, which currently consists of three catamaran fast ferries and twoconventional monohulls, one of which will be replaced by “Bocayna Express”.“The new catamaran brings together the experience and expertise of both our company andAustal Ships, and the excellent results achieved in all areas reflect this. We work very hard to beable to succeed in the fast ferry business, and “Bocayna Express” gives every indication that sheis able to meet our criteria,” he said.“I am confident that both passengers and cargo operators will be very pleased with the fast,comfortable and reliable service this new ship will provide. These attributes and thecomparatively low operating and ownership costs give us an advantage,” Mr Olsen explained.The 450 passenger capacity catamaran will operate across the Bocayna Strait between theislands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura and replaces a 14 knot monohull Ro-Pax ferry. Its designwas specifically developed taking the route’s shallow waters, strong winds and physical shipsize restrictions into account. As the crossing is only nine nautical miles, Fred. Olsen, SA hasopted not to fit a full motion control system to “Bocayna Express”. While the transom-mountedinterceptors and Austal hull shape are expected to provide the necessary level of comfort,forward T-foils can be easily installed at a later date if it is deemed necessary.The introduction of the new fast ferry will enable Fred. Olsen, SA to double the frequency of theservice. Scheduled crossing time, including manoeuvring in port, is just 20 minutes, and loadingand unloading will be completed in just 10 minutes.Page 2 of 5
Short turnaround times are facilitated by the straightforward layout of the drive-through vehicledeck, which is open at both bow and stern to save weight and reduce construction cost. Rated foraxle loads up to 12 tonnes and providing clear height of 4.2 metres, the deck can carry trucksand buses in addition to cars and motorcycles. Maximum capacity is 69 cars and there are 110lane-metres for heavy vehicles.Austal designed the Auto Express 66 so that it would seamlessly integrate with Fred. Olsen,SA’s existing terminal facilities. The ferry’s forward vehicle ramp is designed to support theweight of both the shore ramp and the transferring vehicles and is raised and lowered using twohydraulic capstans. The arrangement at the stern is simplicity itself, with the bulwark foldingdown to allow the shore-based ramp to lock directly onto the vehicle deck.External stairs lead up to an open aft deck where 80 passengers can sit and enjoy the CanaryIslands sun, views over the stern and refreshments from the bar on the short crossing. Thepassenger deck can also be reached via internal stairs amidships or using the lift installed on thestarboard side.Once inside the cabin it is immediately apparent that passenger comfort and fitout quality havenot been sacrificed in achieving the economy and practicality that underpins the operator appealof the Auto Express 66. The floors are covered with plush wool carpet in combination with otherhigh quality flooring materials for the wide walkways and other high traffic areas. Similarlyprudent choices have been made in selecting the ceilings and aluminium honeycomb panelling.One of the cabin’s main features in terms of passenger amenities is the lounge area locatedbetween the bar aft and the shop and transverse walkway amidships. Fitted out with comfortablearmchairs arranged around circular pedestal tables, the lounge is the ideal place for passengersto relax, partake of warm or cold beverages from the adjacent bar, and talk with friends.In contrast to the predominantly blue and cream colour scheme, the tub style armchairs featurebright red patterned wool covers with leather trims. Flooded with natural light from a largeskylight, this area is also delineated from the rest of the passenger cabin by the use of polishedmetal handrails, a different ceiling style and the bordering walkways.Outboard of the lounge area are rows of four aircraft style seats then another aisle and pairs ofseats alongside the windows. The seats come complete with fold-down tables and informationpockets and the use of alternating light and dark blue covers helps to create a more visuallystimulating environment.Page 3 of 5
Page 1: NEWS RELEASE / VESSEL REVIEW7 OCTOB
Page 5: smaller conventional Ro-Pax ferries

austal's economical express for fred. olsen - Austal Ships

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