Fred Olsen ferry Bajamar Express docking in Agaete port, Gran Canaria

Описание: Bajamar Express is a high-speed passenger ferry (trimaran) operated by Fred. Olsen Express in the Canary Islands, Spain. It connects the main islands—especially Tenerife and Gran Canaria—providing fast inter-island transport for people, vehicles, and freight.

----- Key facts
Type: High-speed aluminium trimaran ferry
Length: ~118 m
Capacity: About 1,100 passengers and 276 vehicles
Top speed: Up to ~38 knots
First service: August 2020
Main route: Santa Cruz de Tenerife ↔ Agaete (Gran Canaria)

The Bajamar Express is powered by a high-performance diesel propulsion system designed for very fast inter-island ferry operations.

----- Main propulsion engines
4 × MTU Series 8000 marine diesel engines (20-cylinder)
Power per engine: about 9,100 kW
Total installed power: roughly 36,400 kW
Built for high reliability, energy efficiency, and strong acceleration at sea
These engines drive the vessel’s propulsion system through four Kongsberg waterjets, which are optimized for high-speed ferries and give better maneuverability and efficiency compared with traditional propellers.

----- Performance
Average operating speed around 37–38 knots
Sea trials recorded top speeds above 44 knots thanks to the high power density of the MTU engines combined with the trimaran hull design.

----- Purpose and operations
The Bajamar Express was designed to improve fast connections between the Canary Islands, cutting travel times (around 1 hour 20 minutes between Tenerife and Gran Canaria) and transporting both passengers and cargo efficiently.

In its first year alone, it carried over 300,000 passengers and more than 128,000 vehicles, showing its importance for inter-island mobility and tourism.

----- Design and features
Built in Australia by Austal as part of a modern trimaran fleet.
Uses lightweight, more sustainable materials to reduce fuel use and emissions.
Equipped with motion-control and data systems to improve comfort and navigation.
Onboard facilities include lounges, bars, retail areas, and children’s spaces.

----- Recognition
The vessel was named a “Significant Ship of 2020” by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) for its innovative design and environmental improvements.