- New Fred. Olsen trimarans to get MTU Series 8000 engines
- Maintenance agreement to cover MTU’s most powerful engines
- Existing maintenance agreement for trimaran Benchijigua Express extended
Two new high-speed ferries to be run by Spanish ferry operator Fred. Olsen, S.A. are each to be powered by four MTU 20-cylinder 8000 M71L engines and by Kamewa waterjets from Rolls-Royce. The ferries will be 117m trimarans, designed by Austal Australia, and are to ply the waters around the Canary Islands along with the world’s largest aluminium fast ferry in operation, the Benchijigua Express. It is also planned to sign a maintenance agreement for both new ferries for a period of up to 8 years and a maximum of 24,000 hours of operation. The Benchijigua Express has been in service since 2005 and is also powered by MTU Series 8000 engines.
Ivan Fernandez Martinez, technical manager at Fred. Olsen said, “The Benchijigua Express is a prestigious vessel in the world of fast ferries. It ticks all the boxes in terms of our high demands for power, speed and passenger satisfaction. On the back of this positive experience we have decided to install MTU engines in our new trimarans as well. These engines will be in service round-the-clock, and we need the best possible efficiency and fuel consumption coupled with low levels of downtime. We know MTU can deliver on this. Since being launched into service back in 2005, the Benchijigua Express hasn’t had a single passage canceled by engine issues.”
Matthias Vogel, Executive Vice President, Service, Network & Business Development at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: “We're delighted to have been chosen to supply the engines for Fred. Olsen’s new trimarans now as well. We will continue to provide superb customer service. Our MTU maintenance agreement is a very important tool in meeting these standards. Fred. Olsen is planning to finalize a similar contract for the new vessels. By so doing, we are ensuring that expert staff, spare parts and tools will be on hand – on location – when any maintenance is required. We are also taking the financial risk for planned maintenance and unplanned downtime.”
The maintenance agreement is planned to run for a term of up to eight years and a maximum 24,000 operating hours. Fred. Olsen is now renewing the Benchijigua Express’ MTU maintenance agreement for the third time already. The first agreement was signed back in 2004 when the ferry was still under construction.