Benchi Express

Benchi Express is a catamaran ferry operated by the Spanish-Norwegian shipping company Fred. Olsen Express for local transport connecting ports on the island of La Gomera (Canary Islands).[1] It was delivered to Fred. Olsen in September 2017 and has been operating the route between the towns of San Sebastián de La Gomera, Playa Santiago and Valle Gran Rey since then. The ship was purpose-built for this route by Drassanes Dalmau, based in Arenys de Mar (Barcelona).[2]

San Sebastián
Playa Santiago
Valle Gran Rey
Towns served by Benchi Express
Benchi Express
History
Spain
Name: Benchi Express
Owner: Fred Olsen, S.A
Operator: Fred. Olsen Express
Route: San Sebastián de La Gomera - Playa Santiago - Valle Gran Rey
Builder: Drassanes Dalmau
Launched: June 2017
Acquired: September 2017
Identification:
Status: In service
General characteristics
Tonnage: 283 GT[1]
Length: 28.70 m (94.2 ft)[1]
Beam: 9.00 m (29.5 ft)[1]
Decks: 2[1]
Installed power:
  • 2 Caterpillar C32 ACERT,
  • 2,134 kW in total[1]
Speed: 19 kn (35 km/h; 22 mph)[1]
Capacity: 250 passengers[1]
Crew: 4[1]

Design and construction

The Benchi Express is a passenger transport catamaran, purpose-built in Arenys de Mar by Drassanes Dalmau for Fred. Olsen Express. The construction is entirely of composite material.[2] The vessel is 28.70 metres (94.2 ft) long and 9.00 metres (29.53 ft) wide, making it the smallest ship in the Fred. Olsen Express fleet, and can reach speeds of 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph).[1]

The ship is powered by two Caterpillar C32 ACERT diesel engines capable of providing a combined power of 2,134 kW.[1]

The Benchi Express can transport up to 250 passengers on two decks: the main deck has a capacity of 150 passengers while the upper open-air deck can hold another 100 passengers.[3] The upper deck can be covered if required.[2] There is also space for eight bicycles or motorcycles.[1]

Predecessors

Fred. Olsen Express first operated the local La Gomera route connecting San Sebastián, Playa Santiago and Valle Gran Rey between 2009 and 2012 using another ferry, also called Benchi Express. This vessel was 40 metres (130 ft) long, could transport 300 passengers and had a cruise speed of over 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph). The ferry also connected the island's capital, San Sebastián, to the town of Los Cristianos in Tenerife, thus serving as a sea link between the two islands.[4][5]

References
  1. "Benchi Express - Fast Ferry Canarias La Gomera". Fred. Olsen Express. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
  2. "Entrega de la embarcación Benchi Express de la compañía Fred Olsen" [Delivery of Fred Olsen's Benchi Express]. Astilleros Dalmau (in Spanish). 2017-11-28. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
  3. "La Botadura del Benchi Express se realizó hoy en Barcelona" [Benchi Express was launched today in Barcelona]. Fred. Olsen Express (in Spanish). 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
  4. "El 'Benchi Express', de Fred. Olsen, comenzará a operar en La Gomera la próxima semana" [Fred. Olsen's 'Benchi Express' will begin operating in La Gomera next week]. eldiario.es (in Spanish). 2009-03-18. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
  5. Gutiérrez, Juan Jesús (2012-01-14). "El 'Benchi Express' suspenderá su servicio indefinidamente en febrero" ['Benchi Express' will suspend its service indefinitely in February]. Diario de Avisos (in Spanish). Retrieved 2019-04-09.
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