Fred Olsen orders two trimaran ferries

Fred Olsen has awarded a €126 million (US$148 million) contract to Austal for the design and build of two 117-metre trimaran ferries.

The Canary Islands company already operates the world’s first and largest trimaran vehicle passenger ferry, the Benchijigua Express, which was designed and built by Austal in 2005.

The high-speed aluminium trimarans will be capable of transporting more than 1,100 passengers and up to 276 cars at speeds of up to 38 knots.

Construction for both will begin in 2018. The vessels are due for delivery in 29 and 36 months.