world's biggest catamaran ferry

• How to book?

The Fastest & Biggest Catamaran Ferries

Catamaran Ferries are faster than traditional ‘monohull' ferries. These ferries can achieve much higher speeds. In Europe, you have several of these fast catamaran connections that you can take.

Take for instance the ferry on the connection between Hirtshals and Kristiansand:

The Fastest Ferry

The Franciso ferry remains the fastest ferry, built by Incat:

HSC Francisco is a High-Speed Catamaran built by Incat in Hobart, Tasmania. Powered by liquefied natural gas, she is currently the fastest passenger ship in service, reaching a speed of 58 knots (107 km/h; 67 mph). The propulsion is by two GE LM2500 water jets. Connecting Buenos Aires with Montevideo .

A ferry connection is considered fast if more than 40 knots can be achieved. Only ferry catamarans make this. Boats that are often high and therefore have less friction with the water.

All fast Catamaran connections in Europe

Catamaran connections in Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea

• Aarhus – Odden
• Rønne – Ystad (2 pieces)
• Gothenburg (Sweden) – Frederikshavn (Denmark)
• Gran Canaria – Fuerteventura ( Leonora Christina )
• Hirtshals (Denmark) and Kristiansand (Norway)
• Viking FSTR – Helsinki to Tallinn (Very fast!)

You also have these ferries in the British Isles, including from Stranraer to Belfast and ferries from England to the Channel Islands. Since these often change locations, it is difficult to pin them to one location or connection.

You also recently have more of these High-Speed ​​ferries available around Greece.

The Largest Catamaran Ferry

The largest diesel-powered catamaran ferry is the  HSC Express 1 and 2  between Aarhus and Odden (as well as Rønne and Ystad) in Denmark. More information about this catamaran can be found  here on Wikipedia  . The newer variants of this Ferry. For example, the HSC Express 3 is slightly smaller, so it may well be the case that these will remain the fastest and largest catamarans in the world for a very long time.

UPDATE: By the way, the  Express 5  will eventually become the largest.

Sometimes you hear that the Hodor pleasure yacht (  Astilleros Armon  ) is the largest catamaran with 60 meters, but this is incorrect. It is much smaller than the HSC Express at  112.6 meters .

Images of the highest-speed Catamarans in the world

Use our ferry guides and maps

Ferry to Sicily

To Bimini from Miami

Island hopping through the Dutch Wadden islands

Top 20 EU Passenger Transport Countries

Tags: Africa Global South America

The editorial team at FerryGoGo writes travel guides and creates route ideas for ferry travel, along with everything else that might be of interest to travelers and tourists.

• Here’s What You’ll Spend on a Dinner for Two Across Europe

• Ferries and Dogs: The Complete Guide

• This is the cost of a beer across Europe

• Significant Drop (-22%) in Rental Car Prices Across Europe

The Bajamar Express is a beauty, love to see more of these catamaran ferries in Europe!

The White Blue ferry is the Iris 6.1 Catamaran Passenger Ferry. I think the project failed:

” The philosophy underpinning the design concept was the need to achieve three important targets. Most importantly, it had to be able to transport passengers in comfort. In order to impose a mimimal environmental impact on ports, estuaries and banks, it had to generate a low wake at all operational speeds. Lastly, it had to meet these standards without negatively influencing the hull form, which was designed to maximise speed and economy.”

The ferry is still active somewhere in Croatia. When you spot it let us know 🙂

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Smooth sailing with the FerryGoGo ferry guides to your dream destinations. Discover the perfect ferry routes with our interactive maps and essential travel insights.

About | Contact | Disclaimer  | Privacy & cookies

🇩🇪 Ferrygogo.de     🇳🇱 Ferrygogo.nl 🇬🇧 Ferrygogo.co.uk

At FerryGoGo, we aim to make ferry travel accessible and straightforward for everyone. By offering practical information on ferry routes, guides, and alternatives, we help you make the best choice for your journey, whether you prioritize comfort or speed. Discover the ferry routes that best suit your preferences and needs with FerryGoGo.

• Ferries to Spain 
• UK to Norway ferry (Indirect)
• Ferries to France from the UK / England
• Ferries to Ireland (from the UK)
• Avoid Seasickness
• #1 Alaska Interactive Map
• To Portugal ! (from UK)
• To Spain from England
• Ferries to the Netherlands 
• Dover Calais Ferries
• How to avoid seasickness on a ferry
• Below Deck Filming Locations – on a budget by ferry
• Price of a ferry crossing, a beer and a bratwurst during EURO 2024.
• This is what you’ll spend this summer on a ferry crossing.
• Follow us on 𝕏

U.S Navy Commissions USS New Jersey, First Ever Submarine For A Mixed Gender Crew

World’s Largest Hotel-Branded Superyacht Sets Sail For Maiden Voyage

India Establishes Its First Maritime Arbitration Center

Yanmar Unveils Its First Electric Propulsion Product For Emission-Free Sailing

Top 10 largest Catamarans in the world

Characterised as a multi-hulled watercraft, a catamaran is a marine vessel comprising two proportioned hulls giving her greater stability and manoeuvrability. Catamarans also have a shallow draft which enables them to enter unexplored regions beyond the reach of sailing yachts or cruise ships.

Their invention is attributed to the Austronesian peoples of Southeast Asia, while the first European Catamaran was built in the 16th century by scientist William Petty. Capable of attaining greater speeds, catamarans are used for recreational sailing, cruising and racing. Modern Catamarans have luxurious features and marvellous design, which makes them enticing.

Let us have a look at the top 10 biggest catamarans in the world.

Table of Contents

1. Hodor ( 217 Ft.)

Renowned as the world’s largest floating toy box, the 66.2 m long SHADOWCAT Hodor was built by Astilleros Armon in Spain. Incat Crowther and YCTS. Ltd worked on her functional design and naval architecture, while the interiors were chosen by Oliver Design. Painted grey with vibrant orange lines running across its hull, the catamaran is as robust as it looks.

Launched in 2019, she has a maximum sailing speed of 22.5 knots derived from two MTU diesel engines. With a 14-metre beam, she has a gross tonnage of 1525 tonnes respectively. In terms of LOA, she ranks among the top five per cent in the world. She defeats her counterparts both by average speed and volume.

She is donned with aluminium; her hull, deck and even superstructure are made of this malleable and corrosion-resistant metal. Presently sailing under the flag of the Cayman Islands, Hodor is a treasure-house of water sports gear, filled with nine jet skis, four water bikes, laser dinghies, snorkelers, fishing equipment etc.

The empty space below the main deck is reserved for the Seamagine Aurora-3 submersible which will be delivered soon. Its main attraction is the 17-metre Nor-Tech 560 sports centre console attached to a hydraulic lift system for putting it in water. The largest catamaran is managed by 20 crew members and staff.

2. Sunreef 49 Power Cat ( 160.8 Ft)

Constructed by the Polish builder Sunreef Yachts, the multihull was fitted in Gdansk and delivered in 2021. Flaunting a classy white exterior, it is an embodiment of cutting-edge marine technology and fresh naval design.

It has three decks and expansive outdoor areas, including an open bar, a swimming pool, a helipad and a forward terrace. Its sun deck lounge has a spa pool, sun pads and even a saloon. With a broad beam of 16.85 metres, the yacht has 8 cabins which comfortably sleep 17 crew personnel and offers luxury accommodation for 11 guests. Five bedrooms on the main deck are equipped with a private balcony.

Low drag, a consequence of the specially designed twin-hull, makes the catamaran glide gracefully on the water while optimising efficiency and low fuel consumption. It has a 90,000-litre fuel tank which enables the power cat to cover 5000 nautical miles without a stopover. Driven by two 3400 HP engines, the superyacht has a top speed of 21 knots and carries three tenders, water sports gear and several jet skis.

3. Charley ( 150 Ft.)

Charley was launched in 2016 as a support yacht to serve the superyacht White Rabbit Gulf, both constructed by the shipbuilding company Eco Yachts. The 46 m long and 14 m wide catamaran has a white exterior, three teak decks and modern fittings. Its naval architecture, interiors and exterior design were taken care of by LOMOcean.

Labelled as the largest composite resin-infused yacht made in Australia, Charley was carefully assembled near Fremantle. With a volume of 702 gross tonnes, she has spacious interiors and outdoor entertainment areas to keep her guests engaged.

However, her most attractive feature is the 12-metre long tender catamaran called Vicky, equipped with a platform located at Charley’s stern. It can store some RIBs, tenders, personal watercraft and one hovercraft.

Propelled by two 2,700hp Cummins QSK60 engines and two propellers, Charley has a 60,000-litre fuel tank which enables her to travel 2,500 nautical miles at the cruising speed of 16 knots.

She has a 3.2 m draft which allows her to traverse shallow bays and narrow canals or even cruise near the shoreline. Possessing a GRP hull and superstructure, Charley has three suites for taking in 5 guests.

4. Moecca ( 148 Ft.)

The catamaran motor yacht Moecca was constructed by Oceanfast yachts in Australia. Designed to provide a luxurious sailing experience with moderately-decorated functional spaces, it has a simplistic classic exterior. Delivered in 1992, it underwent maintenance and repair in 2006. Refurbished in the same year, Moecca is fully air-conditioned, having expansive outdoor areas for sunbathing and relaxing.

Her curves are spectacular, thanks to Bannenberg Designs Limited, which crafted her exterior while Phill Curran was responsible for naval architecture. Having a 13 m or 42.7 feet beam, she has seven suites that conveniently accommodate 12 guests and six small yet well-furnished cabins for 11 crew members.

Its spacious salon has two seating areas, a home-theatre set-up and a 12-seater alfresco dining room connected to a bar and a refrigeration room. Her aft deck is enriched with circular sofas and side tables. More open space is provided on the upper deck, which incorporates an open pool and a small workout space. All these amenities are curated by the English design house Bannenberg and Rowell.

She can travel 2200 nautical miles at a maximum speed of 25 knots, achieved by two powerful MTU diesel engines. Moecca is sturdy yet elegant, with a green aluminium hull and a GRP superstructure. Her sides are panelled with mildly-fragrant wood. She has a 1.8 m draft and water tanks capable of storing 15,000 litres of fresh water.

5. HeySea Vista ( 140 Ft.)

Launched in 2020, the golden hulled Vista is an amalgamation of absolute royalty and finesse. Constructed by the Hey Sea Yachts Group, a prominent yacht manufacturer in China, Vista is a fully custom-designed project built in a 66,700 square m shipyard lying in the Pearl River Delta region near Hong Kong. One of the most challenging aspects of its construction was to attain a perfect shimmering gold finish, achieved by delicate yet continuous polishing.

Her stylish appearance and functional naval design were crafted by the Heysea marine architects and interior designers. The twin-hull allows for voluminous interiors carefully chosen by Horizontal Design to match her stunning fibreglass superstructure.

Vista is adorned with beautiful paintings showcasing marine life, modern art pieces and metallic fittings. She has five bedrooms that comfortably sleep 10 people. The yacht is managed by a 15-member crew.

Coming to the technicalities, she is driven by two Volvo 725 HP engines allowing her to reach a top speed of 15 knots. The vessel can go up to 4000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 10 knots. Vista has been the biggest project of HeySea, which brought her international appreciation.

6. Sarha ( 137 Ft.)

Registered at the Port of George Town and sailing under the Cayman Islands Flag, Sarha is a 40 m motor yacht built by Sea Management, fabricated in Australia and launched in 1989. With its sleek white exterior and blue windows, she is a piece of sheer beauty and class.

She was designed by John Winterbotham & Partners while her interiors were done by H2 Yacht Design. Refitted in 2002, she boasts a steel hull and an aluminium and steel superstructure complemented by a fine teak deck with spacious seating areas.

Sarha can travel 3000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 10 knots, and her top speed is 13 knots. She is fitted with two 2340 HP diesel engines that generate 1722 kilowatts. She is driven by two propellers and Koopnautic thrusters. Her home port is Abu Dhabi, and her water tanks carry 20,000 litres of fresh water.

Sarha can accommodate 30 guests and 11 crew members in beautiful, well-ventilated cabins having double beds. She has a gross tonnage of 726 tonnes and a 500-tonne displacement. Having a wide beam of 12.9 m, she has a shallow draft of about 2.7 metres.

7. Royal Falcon One ( 135 Ft.)

Flaunting a modern naval design, Royal Falcon One is a stunner of the Singapore-based yacht builder, Royal Falcon Fleet. Curated by the renowned Porsche Design Studio, she has been described as a Spaceship on Water by her makers, while some compare her to a sports car. She has an aluminium hull and superstructure and three teak decks.

Enriched with appealing aesthetics, this dual-hulled yacht offers the highest comfort and luxury. She has five cabins to accommodate 10 guests, three master suites and a lounge on the main deck. Its main attraction is the saloon which offers a 360-degree ocean view due to its glass walls.

The 12.5 m broad beam allows for more entertainment and relaxation space. Its sundeck has a jacuzzi and a steam sauna. The crew cabins are located near the stern, concealed by the ship’s twin hulls. Delivered in 2019, it has a maximum speed of 35 knots, a 1.7 m draft and a gross tonnage of 499 tonnes.

8. Silver Cloud (134 Ft.)

Portraying exemplary marine engineering , Silver Cloud was constructed by Abeking & Rasmussen in Germany. Infused with a small waterplane area twin hull, commonly called SWATH, its distinguishing feature is smooth sailing in harsh waters, especially the North Sea.

It was sold for 16 million dollars to Alexander Wallace Dreyfoos Junior, an American businessman based in New York. As per news reports, the vessel will be renamed Nurja. With a 58 feet beam and a 13.5-foot draft, she has a maximum speed of 14 knots.

Silver Cloud is the two-time winner of the World Superyacht Award, owing to its highly trained crew and world-class reputation. It has five cabins that comfortably sleep 12 guests, equipped with televisions and private bathrooms. The main attraction is the saloon with large windows and glass doors, designed by Michael Kirschstein. It also contains a spa, gymnasium, diving equipment and a helipad.

9. Zenith ( 131 Feet)

Constructed by Australia-based Sabre Catamarans in 2012, the 40.5 m Zenith is a luxury motor yacht which redefines sophistication and style. She has a 10.5 m beam, a 1.5 m draft and an interior volume of 461 gross tonnes. She was sold in 2018 for a whopping 19 million dollars.

Her luxurious cabins can take in 10 guests, designed by Water Line, while her eye-catching exteriors were chosen by Incat Crowther. Having an aluminium hull and superstructure, she can attain a top speed of 29 knots due to the powerful MTU engines. Her fuel tanks can hold up to 51,800 litres of diesel, while freshwater tanks can carry 3790 litres.

American rock maple was used for interior panelling along with Queensland Maple. It has a spacious open lounge with four sofas. The main deck features a lavish dining area attached to a fully equipped media room and a cocktail bar.

10. The Beast ( 129 Ft.)

Described as somewhat different and unique by her owners, the Beast is true to its name. Having a military-type camouflage exterior, she is not easy to spot among other sailing vessels. She belongs to the entrepreneur, Sir Michael Hill and has several interesting features, the first being a 13 m fishing boat fitted on its main deck, known as Baby beast.

Winner of several awards, the Beast is 39.2 metres long and has a volume of 493 gross tonnes. She was delivered in 2019 by Profab Central Engineering Limited, and her decor was styled by the famous Oceania Interiors. She has a master suite and five cabins for sleeping 12 guests and accommodation for nine crew members.

Known for her outstanding seagoing capabilities, the Beast is available for charter in the South Pacific. Having a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, she is loaded with the latest water gear such as four kayaks, paddleboards, and fishing and diving equipment. She can reach a top speed of 15 knots while her cruising speed is 10 knots.

You might also like to read:

• Top 10 Biggest RoRo Ships In The World
• 5 Biggest Tanker Ships In the World
• 5 Biggest and Magnificent Sailing Ships of All Time
• 10 Most Expensive Cruise Ships
• Top 10 Biggest LNG Ships

About Author

Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.

Read More Articles By This Author >

Disclaimer : The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.

Do you have info to share with us ? Suggest a correction

Daily Maritime News, Straight To Your Inbox

Sign Up To Get Daily Newsletters

Join over 60k+ people who read our daily newsletters

By subscribing, you agree to our  Privacy Policy  and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

Leave a reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Marine Insight Daily Newsletter

" * " indicates required fields

Marine Engineering

Marine Engine Air Compressor Marine Boiler Oily Water Separator Marine Electrical Ship Generator Ship Stabilizer

Nautical Science

Mooring Bridge Watchkeeping Ship Manoeuvring Nautical Charts  Anchoring Nautical Equipment Shipboard Guidelines

Explore 

Free Maritime eBooks Premium Maritime eBooks Marine Safety Financial Planning Marine Careers Maritime Law Ship Dry Dock

Shipping News Maritime Reports Videos Maritime Piracy Offshore Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) MARPOL

WAIT! Did You Download 13 FREE Maritime eBooks?

Sign-up and download instantly!

We respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously. No spam!

EXPRESS 5 THE NEW BIGGEST FAST Ferry ON THE WAY TO BORNHOLM

When in 2018 BORNHOLM LINE took over ferry transport to Bornholm, thereby significantly reducing ticket prices - the number of visitors to the island increased rapidly and set new records in 2019. The increase in visitors to the island also had the desired effect. The tourism industry and related businesses on Bornholm have created new growth and new jobs. However, the greater number of visitors to the island created a problem with finding places for them on the ferries. From the outset, it turned out that there were not enough connections on the most important route between Rønne and Ystad. BORNHOLM LINE announced at a press conference in autumn 2019 that the world's largest high-speed ferry will be delivered to Bornholm in spring 2022.

Construction of the EXPRESS 5 ferry

The largest high-speed ferry in the world, Express 5, is produced in the Australian shipyards in Cebu, Philippines and Vung Tau, Vietnam. Currently, around 200 men are working to prepare the high-speed ferry by spring 2022, and as construction progresses, more staff will be assigned to the project. All parts of the ship will be finally assembled at the Philippine Austal shipyard, where the high-speed ferry will be completed and then tested. Construction began on July 8, 2020, and will take almost two years.

photo: philippines.austal.com

EXPRESS 5 The new BORNHOLM LINE high-speed ferry

The Express 5 will be the largest catamaran in the world with a capacity of 1,610 passengers and 450 cars and will travel at a speed of 37 knots. It is powered by a medium-speed LNG-adapted power plant that offers a powerful, yet an economical and environmentally friendly solution.

• Traveling with Fred. Olsen Express’ largest catamaran

The big friendly giant of the Canaries!

• Ferry Tickets

Betancuria Express is the largest highspeed catamaran of Fred. Olsen Express. You can enjoy the experience of traveling with one of the world’s largest highspeed ferries on the route between Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura . Read our blog to find out more about the impressive vessel, the scheduled route and the on-board services.

The Betancuria Express sailing from Fuerteventura to Gran Canaria  © Fred. Olsen Express, 2010

Information about the vessel

The ferry was built in 2011 in Australia and it belongs to the fleet of Fred. Olsen Express since 2018. It travels between Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, and it is one of the largest highspeed catamarans in the world !

How big is the Fred. Olsen Express ferry?

The highspeed catamaran Betancuria Express can accommodate up to 1598 passengers and 357 cars . It is 115 m long and 26.2 m wide.

The large garage of the Betancuria Express   © Fred. Olsen Express, 2010

How fast is the Fred. Olsen Express ferry?

The Betancuria Express ferry can travel at a speed of up to 70 km per hour (38 knots).

What are the onboard services?

Although the trip is short, there are quite a few services to make you feel comfortable and enjoy the journey. The Betancuria Express  is a modern vessel with state-of-the-art amenities both for grown-ups and kids. You can spend your time gazing at the open sea, relaxing at the comfy seats, watching videos, or playing with your kids. Here's a breakdown of the onboard services:

• Entertainment : there’s free Wi-Fi service on board the Fred. Olsen Express ferry. You can stream your favorite series or catch up with your loved ones. You can also access the free on-board entertainment platform for live TV, series, movies, games, and music.
• Gastronomy : you can enjoy a snack or a drink at the ferry’s cafeterias and bars . There’s a selection of refreshments and food items to choose from.
• Accommodation : the Betancuria Express features comfortable spacious seating to relax and enjoy the sea views. Put on your headphones, listen to music and lay back. You may want to upgrade to a Gold Class fare for priority boarding, access to a premium lounge, as well as complimentary drinks and meals. There’s also a large garage for your car, motorcycle, or caravan.
• Families : families traveling with children can access the digital kids’ entertainment services for free. There’s an interactive game zone and children TV programs on the On Board Club platform. You can also find a game room with board games.
• Shopping : there are a few shops , where you can buy gifts, souvenirs, food, and other memorabilia. 

Enjoy a cup of coffee at the premium class ferry lounge  © Fred. Olsen Express, 2010

Where does the Betancuria Express ferry travel?

The largest ferry of Fred. Olsen Express travels between Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura . The ferry trip takes around 2 hours . Traveling with Fred. Olsen Express’ largest catamaran is the fastest way to get from the port Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Morro Jable in Fuerteventura.

The route is in operation throughout the year and tickets start at around  €47 . The highspeed catamaran normally departs from Gran Canaria once or twice a day. The earliest ferry usually leaves at 09:30 and arrives in Fuerteventura around 11:30 . The evening ferry departs at 22:00 , reaching Morro Jable at 22:15 .

Tip : you can also catch a ferry between Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura with Naviera Armas and Trasmediterránea .

The meeting point of the magical beaches of Barlovento and Cofete in Fuerteventura

Is the Betancuria Express ferry active?

Yes, the Fred. Olsen Express highspeed ferry is currently active , operating on the route between Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura.

Book ferry tickets online

On Ferryhopper, you can book cheap ferry tickets for the Gran Canaria - Fuerteventura route. Find all ferry routes for the Canary Islands on Ferryhopper’s Map of ferries , compare ferry companies and fares, and organize your trip with ease !

Latest article

Keep on reading

• Trasmed Ibiza: ferry routes, schedules & amenities September 13, 2024
• Family & Friends offer: 25% on ferry tickets with Minoan Lines September 9, 2024
• The best islands to visit in September September 6, 2024

Fastest ferry

Built in 2013, and owned by the Argentine ferry company Buquebus, the HSC Francisco is a jet-powered catamaran ferry that operates the 140-mile (225-km) route across the Rio de la Plata estuary between Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay. With a top speed of 58.1 knots (67 mph; 107 km/h), it is the fastest ferry in the world.

The HSC Francisco , named after Pope Francis, the first Argentinian Pope, was built by Australian shipyard Incat in Hobart, Tasmania. It measures 99 m (325 ft) long by 26.48 m (86.9 ft) wide and has a gross tonnage of 7,109.

It is powered by two GE LM2500 gas turbine jet engines which can run on liquefied natural gas. Each develops 59,000 horsepower (43,394 kW), which in turn drive a pair of Wartsila LJX 1720 SR waterjets, propelling the ship forward.

The vessel can carry 1,024 passengers and 150 cars on each crossing.

Filipino-made high-speed ferry sets sail for Denmark

At a glance.

The crew of Express 5 crew pose for a photo with employees of Austal Philippines before its maiden voyage to Denmark. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Embassy in Copenhagen)

The world's largest catamaran ferry built by Filipinos is now sailing towards Denmark as it makes its maiden voyage from Cebu.

Made by Austal Philippines, Express 5 already embarked on its first trip to Rønne, Denmark after being commissioned by prominent Danish shipping company Molslinjen.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the 115-meter high-speed ferry is set to redefine travel between Ystad in Sweden and Rønne, the largest town in the Danish island of Bornholm.

Philippine Ambassador to Denmark Leo Herrera-Lim said the delivery of the high-speed ferry to Denmark—the second one to be built by Filipinos—"signifies the country's growing expertise and capability in constructing world-class vessels at competitive rates."

"This affirms the strong partnership between the Philippines and Denmark, marking a significant milestone in the 77th year of its friendly relations," Herrera-Lim said.

Described by DFA as "a remarkable feat of engineering," Express 5 can accommodate up to 1,610 passengers and around 450 cars at a time.

It features a full bistro and bar, a children's play area, and multiple audio-visual screens.

Valued at 83.63 million euros, the vessel is set to make a significant impact on tourism and connectivity for the island of Bornholm as it will increase passenger capacity and car volume by more than 35 percent.

"With the arrival of Express 5, travelers can look forward to a more comfortable and unforgettable journey across the Baltic Sea," the DFA said.

Powering the world’s largest zero-emissions, lightweight catamaran ferry for Buquebús

What will power the world’s largest zero-emissions, lightweight catamaran ferry?

Electric ships powered by batteries are becoming more and more interesting for companies who want to be more sustainable. One interesting example is a new ferry being built by Incat Tasmania, ordered by Buquebús. 

The new ferry will be the world’s largest zero-emissions, lightweight catamaran ferry, and it will be powered by a battery electric propulsion system and waterjets from Wärtsilä. It will be the biggest battery electric ship ever built.

Incat’s long-term South American customer, Buquebús will have the vessel to operate between Argentina and Uruguay. It has an overall length of 130 m and will have the capacity to carry 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. 

The equipment from Wärtsilä is scheduled to be delivered in the latter part of the year 2024. The vessel itself is scheduled to be delivered to Buquebús in 2025.

The deal was first published in a press release in August  2023.

Power from batteries and eight electric waterjets

This catamaran vessel will be fully battery-powered, and waterjets will be the main power for its electric motor.

In all, the vessel will have the benefit from the following solutions from Wärtsilä:

• power conversion system
• the smart Energy Management System
• DC shore charging system
• 40 MWh battery modules
• eight electric motors
• eight Wärtsilä axial flow WXJ1100 waterjets
• ProTouch propulsion control system .

The package of the battery modules and energy storage system will yield 4 times the power of any of the ones on today’s electric or hybrid ships.

The propulsion system to be delivered

Eight main propulsors, compact and lightweight axial flow WXJ1100 waterjets which are designed and optimized for medium speed 25 knots operation. The waterjets are driven by eight very efficient permanent magnet e-motors in a compact and lightweight design.

The propulsion, battery and energy storage systems to be delivered

The battery modules and energy storage system package can provide four times the efficiency than any other electric/hybrid ship currently operating.

A synergetic relationship between Incat and Wärtsilä

Incat has had a practically synergistic relationship with the Wärtsilä Waterjets team for more than 30 years. During this time, Incat’s catamarans have got faster and bigger – and much more efficient.

Surprisingly, the waterjets built for this world’s largest zero-emissions catamaran ferry  – were not larger than before. In fact, they were smaller, tens of tonnes lighter than on previous INCAT installations, and optimised for medium speed (25 knots) operation.

Incat and Wärtsilä have even broken a world speed record together. In 2012, Wärtsilä’s two 1720mm axial flow waterjets powered Buquebús vessel Francisco, which reached the astonishing speed of 58.1 knots (107.6 km/h), making it the world’s fastest ship. It holds a record from Guinness Book of Records.

To date, Wärtsilä has delivered over 200 waterjets to Incat Shipyard.

Other fast ferry references

As part of the EU-funded TrAM project, Wärtsilä and partners have delivered a zero emission fully electric fast ferry that operates in Norway.

Wärtsilä integrated solution powers the Eleanor Roosevelt – the world’s first fast ferry with natural gas engines

Offering an unprecedented level of performance, reliability and quality

Related solutions in more detail

When you are interested in ship electrification, waterjets, and other propulsion solutions, get in touch and let’s discuss your needs and options!

• Privacy notice
• Cookie notice
• Terms of Use

Woman killed in horror Canary Islands shark attack while sailing on catamaran

The woman, a 30-year-old German national, is said to have had her leg bitten off by the shark as she was on a catamaran in international waters 278 miles south-west of Gran Canaria’s airport

• 20:43, 17 Sep 2024
• Updated 21:06, 17 Sep 2024

A woman has died after being attacked by a shark on a catamaran as she was rushed to a hospital in the Canary Islands.

The 30-year-old German lost her fight for life in a Spanish Air Force helicopter as she was being evacuated to a Gran Canaria hospital.

She was officially pronounced dead after arriving at Doctor Negrin Hospital in the Gran Canaria capital Las Palmas yesterday night.

She is said to have had her leg bitten off by the shark as she was on a catamaran in international waters 278 miles south-west of Gran Canaria’s airport and around 110 miles east of the city of Dakhla in the disputed territory of Western Sahara which is currently occupied by Morocco.

The catamaran she was a crew member of has been named as British-flagged vessel Dalliance Chichester, which had left the Spanish holiday island on September 14.

Spanish Coastguards are said to have informed their Moroccan counterparts as well as UK coastguards because of the origin of the catamaran.

But according to local reports Moroccan authorities refused to transfer the injured woman to Rabat for emergency medical treatment. The unnamed woman was pronounced dead yesterday just after 11pm after going into cardiac arrest in the Spanish military chopper The shark attack is understood to have happened around 4pm the same day.

In June, shark sightings shuttered several Spanish resorts, with one forced to close just hours after local officials gave tourists the greenlight to return.

Lifeguards ordered bathers out of the water at Melenara Beach on Gran Canaria’s east coast after a police drone spotted a hammerhead shark off the beach.

The neighbouring Salinetas beach quickly followed, with Playa de San Agustín close behind, as lifeguards were seen hoisting a red flag at the spot just two hours later when a tourist photographed the tell-tale fin of a shark sticking out of the water. One of the shark appearances was reportedly spotted by a tourist near a restaurant overlooking the sea called Balcon de San Augustin. Red Cross officials later confirmed they had also seen it.

This is a breaking news story. Follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News , Twitter , Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.

MORE ON Shark attack

Get email updates with the day's biggest stories.