The need for speed

The geography of Denmark is fascinating. One of the world’s leading seafaring nations, it comprises numerous islands large and small – at the latest count 72 inhabited islands, and a coastline of over 4,500 miles.

For Færgen, one of the country’s leading ferry companies, ensuring passengers have seamless journeys is what they do best. Over the past decade they’ve mastered the art of operating high-speed ferry services.

The company carries 4.7 million passengers each year, with a fleet of 14 vessels working eight routes. Bornholmstrafikken, was one of those three companies, responsible for services in the east of Denmark, linking Bornholm with Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Poland. The Bornholmer-Færgen livery now proudly adorns the sleek lines of the company’s two high-speed ferries, maintaining the historical significance of a ferry company dating back to 1866.

In 2000, the company transformed its conventional ferry operations between the port of Rønne on Bornholm, and Ystad on the southern coast of Sweden, with the introduction of a record-breaking high-speed catamaran, the Villum Clausen. Designed and built by Austal in Australia, the ferry set new standards and speeds for services.

The Villum Clausen is an impressive ship and her awesome power provides a popular attraction for any thrill-seeking passengers who go out on deck as she leaves the confines of the harbour. Powered by two gas turbines, driving four Rolls-Royce Kamewa waterjets that together deliver an awesome 36MW of power, she holds the record for the longest distance travelled (1,063 nautical miles) by a vessel in 24 hours, achieved during her delivery run from Fremantle. 

The second the vessel clears the breakwater, the Captain increases the power, and with that you feel the aft of the ship lower and the bow rise, as the enormous thrust of water propels her and her full load of passengers and cars on their way at a cruising speed of 37.5 knots.  

Four Rolls-Royce Kamewa waterjets also power her sister vessel, the Leonora Christina, with each one linked to a large 20-cylinder diesel engine. The use of diesel engines, and the new more efficient Kamewa 125S3 waterjets, means she’s around 20 per cent more fuel efficient than her smaller predecessor, with both vessels having similar power output.