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I see your gigantic Trimaran. But...
TRI THIS FOR SIZE!
The “Benchijigua Express”
When Austal signed a contract to build a second high speed vehicle-passenger ferry for European ferry operator Fred. Olsen, S.A. in June 2003 it signaled the start of not just another ferry from the world’s leading builder of high speed ships, but the creation of a new hullform that will revolutionise fast sea transportation by providing a significant improvement in seakeeping performance and passenger comfort over existing fast ferries.
The 126.7 metre cargo-vehicle-passenger ferry “Benchijigua Express” is larger than any existing diesel-powered fast ferry – catamaran or monohull – and is the world’s largest all-aluminium ship. Ordered in June 2003 the ferry will sail at loaded speeds in excess of 40 knots, providing capacity for 1350 passengers, over 350 cars or 450 truck lane metres and 123 cars.
Fred. Olsen, S.A. pioneered the use of large high-speed ferries in the Canary Islands and carries almost three million passengers, half a million cars and a quarter of a million cargo vehicles per year. It has been operating large fast catamarans since 1999, and while happy with the results, the company has identified some limitations in terms of capacity and especially passenger comfort when operating in rough seas.
This led to the conclusion that further research was needed in order to develop a new concept for high-speed vessels combining the good comfort provided by the soft movement of monohulls, with the low resistance and very good stability and carrying capacity of catamarans.
With these objectives in mind, Fred. Olsen, S.A. and Austal cooperated on an extensive programme of research, tank testing and other analysis to firstly develop a new design and then ensure it would meet Fred. Olsen, S.A.’s requirements in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The result is a slender stabilised monohull, more commonly referred to as a trimaran.
The final report showed the trimaran would offer a 26% improvement in operability over compared hull forms. Encouraged by these early predictions there was a program of further design development including additional tank testing, the construction of an 11 metre manned technology demonstrator modeling the vessel’s structure in detail using sophisticated finite-element techniques.
At the height of construction approximately 430 people were employed on the trimaran with construction taking 12 months plus two months for commissioning and sea trials.
A major milestone in the construction of this remarkable ship was achieved in mid-July 2004 when the bow section, itself measuring some 32 metres in length, 15 metres high and weighing 120 tonnes, was moved out of its building hall and united with the main structure. This revealed the true size and scale of the ferry to the outside world for the first time.
Following its launch on 25 September final onboard fitout was completed before sea trials during November and departure for the Canary Islands on a delivery voyage covering approximately 9,500 nautical miles.
The completion of “Benchijigua Express” clearly demonstrates Austal’s ability to design and construct high-speed ships of the size required for current and future defence projects. A team led by General Dynamics and including Austal is offering the trimaran hullform for the US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship project.
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