Apr 22, 2022 · Francisco Ferry: The fastest ferry in the world. 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 ... MV or HSC [a] Saint John Paul II is a high-speed catamaran ferry owned and operated by Virtu Ferries. Built by Incat in 2017–18, the vessel entered service as a ferry between Malta and Sicily in March 2019. It is the largest vessel of its kind in the Mediterranean Sea, and the second largest in the world. ... Jul 27, 2021 · This ferry design features a catamaran hull and state-of-the-art technology to reduces CO2 emissions by 30%. Can house 450 cars and 1,200 passengers plus crew. ... World’s Largest Super Fast ... ... Sep 5, 2023 · The term “world’s largest” must always be used with some caution and should be verified with a more detailed definition. On Saturday 29 April, Molslinjen deployed the newly built high-speed ferry EXPRESS 5 on the main corridor of Bornholmslinjen. That is between Rønne and Ystad in the state-subsidised ferry service of Bornholm. ... Nov 27, 2024 · The operator’s another ferry called Express 1 is presently in the shipyard and cannot take the place of Express 5. The residents of Bornholm will have to utilise the two conventional ferries which have a longer transit time of around three hours. Express 5 is the largest catamaran ferry in the world and was purpose-built for Baltic conditions. ... Aug 29, 2022 · 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. ... Sep 30, 2024 · The lightweight battery-powered catamaran was ordered by South American ferry company Buquebús and will be used to operate between Argentina and Uruguay. Capable of carrying 2,100 passengers and crew, 225 cars, as well as a duty-free shop of over 2,000 square metres, the Ro-Pax ferry will be delivered to Buquebús some time in 2025. ... Nov 17, 2023 · 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 ... ... Dec 19, 2023 · World’s Longest High-Speed Ferry Is Even Better Now. Published: 19 Dec 2023, 09:30 UTC • By: ... Balearia announced that the successful giant catamaran would be modified to become even better ... ... Apr 4, 2023 · Express 5, the sleek-looking 115-meter high-speed ferry built in the Austal Philippines shipyard is the largest vessel constructed in the company’s 35-year history. The catamaran ferry will ply the route between Ystad in Sweden and Rønne, the largest town on the Danish island of Bornholm. ... ">
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The Fastest & Biggest Catamaran Ferries

FerryGoGo

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:

Fjord FSTR Bron: https://www.fjordline.com/

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 .

world's biggest catamaran ferry

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!)

Bajamar Express

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

HSC-Express

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

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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.”

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

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paxpix – maritime photography

by Søren Lund Hviid – I writes, and I photograph!

World’s largest high-speed ferry is the second quantum leap on Bornholm’s lifeline

world's biggest catamaran ferry

EXPRESS 5 pushes the global development of high-speed ferries and takes over from LEONORA CHRISTINA as a bigger, better – and more comfortable lifeline for the islanders

The term “world’s largest” must always be used with some caution and should be verified with a more detailed definition. On Saturday 29 April, Molslinjen deployed the newly built high-speed ferry EXPRESS 5 on the main corridor of Bornholmslinjen. That is between Rønne and Ystad in the state-subsidised ferry service of Bornholm.

Read more here: The Islander’s new main-ferry max out for more capacity In that regard, it is difficult to avoid the fact that EXPRESS 5 is the world’s largest high-speed ferry right now, which is understandably also highlighted extensively by the shipping company’s and the press’s coverage of the newbuilding. The more detailed definition that permits the sensational use of words is that EXPRESS 5 is the world’s largest operational catamaran high-speed ferry measured in terms of number of cars and passengers.

world's biggest catamaran ferry

There are examples in history of other ferries, built according to the High-Speed Code, which e.g., has been able to accommodate more passengers than EXPRESS 5. However, there were single-hull vessels, more often referred to as mono hulls. Fixed link created new corridor Since the start of the new millennium, the Rønne – Ystad route has developed into the main corridor for the state-subsidised ferry service of Bornholm. At the same time, most of the car and passenger volume has moved from conventional ferries to high-speed ferry-based capacity. This was primarily due to the opening of the Øresund Bridge, which enabled a short transit time between Bornholm and the rest of Denmark via Ystad in Southern Sweden. This has also meant that the route has helped drive high-speed ferry development globally. It is consequently not the first time that Bornholm’s high-speed ferries have pushed the evolution in this tonnage segment, which only dates to the beginning of the 1990s. Echo of the locale debate When the purpose-built highspeed ferry LEONORA CHRISTINA was deployed on the route in 2011, it was done to strengthen capacity and increase the regularity of the route, which had previously been operated with the much smaller non-purpose built VILLUM CLAUSEN, deployed in 2000.

world's biggest catamaran ferry

At the time, in particular two subjects were present in the public debate on Bornholm about the island’s lifeline route; The ability to sail in the sometimes-difficult waters of the Baltic Sea – and access to sufficient capacity. Both topics later also played a major role in the process which led up to Molslinjen’s contracting of EXPRESS 5 in 2019. When Molslinjen took over the concession from the previous operator, the purpose-built main ferry on the Ystad route LEONORA CHRISTINA was replaced by EXPRESS 1, which, as an Incat-built catamaran, is based on slightly different design principles than the Austal-built LEONORA CHRISTINA.

Read about Bornholm’s new nightferry: Bornholm’s new night ferry in a dual role It revived the debate on Bornholm about the comfort characteristics of the routes main ferry when the Baltic Sea shows its teeth, and Molslinjen also had to make certain changes to EXPRESS 1 to improve its characteristics in rough seas. A second quantum leap Parallel to that, the traffic development to and from Bornholm has been favourable, which is why the introduction of EXPRESS 5, 12 years after the introduction of LEONORA CHRISTINA, represents the second major quantum leap on Bornholm’s still young main corridor to the Danish mainland via Southern Sweden.

world's biggest catamaran ferry

Just as LEONORA CHRISTINA was, EXPRESS 5 is purpose-built based on the wishes and needs of the people of Bornholm. In an additional contract with the Danish State, EXPRESS 5 will also have EXPRESS 1 as a backup instead of the smaller previous back up-ferry MAX. EXPRESS 1 is now described in the contract as a so-called high-capacity ferry, something that brings the potential capacity of Bornholm’s main ferry corridor to extraordinary heights. The 1998-built 92-meter Incat catamaran MAX is now deployed as the fourth high speed-ferry on Kattegat, mainly serving the Ebeltoft – Sjællands Odden route.

LEONORA CHRISTINA: 112.6 X 26.2 m – 1,400 passengers and 357 cars – 36,400 kW of propulsion EXPRESS 1: 112.6 X 30.5 m – 1,200 passengers and 417 cars – 36,000 kW of propulsion EXPRESS 5: 115.4 X 30.5 m – 1,625 passengers and 450 cars – 39,040 kW of propulsion (Main ferry defined as a larger fast ferry supported by a smaller fast ferry)

world's biggest catamaran ferry

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Thank you, lovely pictures. What a view inside that hull!

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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.)

Hodor

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)

Sunreef 49 Power Cat

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

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.)

Moecca

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.)

HeySea Vista

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.)

Sarha

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.)

Royal Falcon One

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.)

Silver Cloud

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)

Zenith

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.)

The Beast

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
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world's biggest catamaran ferry

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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.

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world's biggest catamaran ferry

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The world’s largest battery electric ferry is being built in Australia: What will power it?

  • September 30, 2024
  • 40 comments
  • 2 minute read
  • Joshua S. Hill

world's biggest catamaran ferry

Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania is currently building the world’s largest zero-emissions catamaran ferry which will be fully battery-powered and use a battery electric propulsion system and waterjets from Finnish technology giant Wärtsilä.

Incat Tasmania selected Wärtsilä to provide the battery electric propulsion system and waterjets in a deal announced in August 2023 . The lightweight battery-powered catamaran was ordered by South American ferry company Buquebús and will be used to operate between Argentina and Uruguay.

Capable of carrying 2,100 passengers and crew, 225 cars, as well as a duty-free shop of over 2,000 square metres, the Ro-Pax ferry will be delivered to Buquebús some time in 2025. Now we have some details about the battery and propulsion systems that will power it.

world's biggest catamaran ferry

Wärtsilä will be responsible for a number of systems to be used by the catamaran, including the power conversion system, smart energy management system, 40MWh battery modules, eight electric motors, and eight waterjets.

Wärtsilä will also provide the DC shore charging system and its own propulsion control system.

And, according to Wärtsilä, “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.”

world's biggest catamaran ferry

How to power this special, zero-emissions catamaran ferry

The eight main waterjets will be Wärtsilä axial flow WXJ1100 waterjets and have been designed and optimised for a medium speed of 25 knots. Each jet will be powered by a permanent magnet e-motor, also provided by Wärtsilä.

Wärtsilä Incat battery catamaran-3

Incat and Wärtsilä have had a longstanding relationship, with a total of 200 waterjets delivered to Incat Shipyard. Thanks to Wärtsilä waterjets, Incat’s catamarans have become faster and bigger, as well as more efficient.

Importantly, the waterjets to be used in the new battery-powered catamaran were not larger than before, and are in fact smaller, tens of tonnes lighter than on previous Incat installations.

Joshua S. Hill

Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.

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  • 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 vessel of Fred. Olsen Express in the open sea

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 spacious garage of the Betancuria Express vessel of Fred. Olsen Express

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. 

Seating area and bar at the ferry lounge of Betancuria Express

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 .

View towards the sandy beaches of Barlovento and Cofete in Fuerteventura, Spain

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 !

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Largest catamaran ferry built in philippine shipyard delivered to denmark.

The Good News Pilipinas Team

The largest catamaran passenger fast ferry built in a Philippine shipyard, fitted with hybrid-fuel engine technology for lower emissions and greater economy, has been delivered on schedule to shipping company Molslinjen of Denmark.

Express 5, the sleek-looking 115-meter high-speed ferry built in the Austal Philippines shipyard is the largest vessel constructed in the company’s 35-year history. The catamaran ferry will ply the route between Ystad in Sweden and Rønne, the largest town on the Danish island of Bornholm.

Following its fit-out work in the last quarter of 2022, the catamaran ferry was scheduled for delivery early in the first quarter of this year. Express 5 finally set sail for Rønne, Denmark on March 24, 2023, after the successful completion of sea trials in Balamban, Cebu.

The catamaran ferry boasts of the following features:

  • Capacity for 1,610 passengers
  • Space for 450 cars (or 617 lane metres for trucks plus 257 cars)
  • 2 vehicle decks
  • Operating service speed of 37 knots
  • Powered by an LNG-capable, medium-speed power plant that offers a powerful yet economic and environmentally friendly solution
  • Leather-appointed reclining seats with USB ports
  • Full bistro and bar
  • Children’s play area
  • Multiple audio-visual screens

The Express 5 was designed by the Austal Australia team to include Austal’s proprietary Motion Control and MARINELINK-Smart systems that help deliver a smoother journey for passengers and crew and a more efficient, better performing, ‘smart’ ship for operators. The vessel

world's biggest catamaran ferry

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the delivery of Express 5 was a testament to the resilience and capabilities of the Austal Philippines team who constructed the vessel through the COVID pandemic and following the effects of Super Typhoon Rai in 2021.

“Express 5 is the largest vessel, by volume, that Austal has ever constructed, and to deliver this new high-speed ferry despite the impact of the COVID pandemic over 2020 – 2022, and Super Typhoon Rai in 2021, is simply outstanding.

“Despite the challenges faced, the Austal Philippines team has delivered the most impressive vessel ever to join the Molslinjen fleet. The high-speed ferry performed exceptionally well during sea trials and will soon provide a class-leading service to Bornholm in Denmark,” Gregg said.

At the delivery ceremony, Austal Philippines President Wayne Murray praised his team for delivering 21 vessels from the Balamban, Cebu shipyard in just 10 years.

“Express 5 is the 21st ship delivered to an overseas operator by Austal Philippines, highlighting the tremendous value added to the Philippines shipbuilding industry since 2012.

“It’s fitting that our latest and greatest ship is also the largest ever delivered by an Austal shipyard, anywhere in the world – the team are rightly very proud and are to be congratulated,” Murray said.

The Philippine Embassy in Denmark remarked that the delivery of Austal Philippines’ second high-speed ferry to Denmark is a testament to the country’s growing expertise and capability in building world-class vessels at competitive prices.

“Valued at 83.63 million EUR, the ferry is expected to have a significant impact on tourism and connectivity for the island of Bornholm, increasing passenger capacity and car volume by more than 35%. With the introduction of the Express 5, travelers can look forward to a more comfortable and unforgettable journey across the Baltic Sea,” the Philippine Embassy stated.

Testaments to the Philippines and Filipinos’ ship-building capability include the Austal Philippines’ first wholly constructed passenger and cargo ship, the high-speed ferry Fjord FSTR, which set sail from Cebu to its new home in Hirtshals, Denmark in 2021, the first Philippine-made Ocean-Powered Hybrid Trimaran built in 2020 by Metallica Shipyard and supported by DOST-PCIEERD, Aklan State University, and MARINA, and the Antoine de Saint Exupery, one of the world’s biggest container ships built in 2018 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

WATCH the Express 5 showcase its seaworthiness during the sea trials in Cebu in the Austal Philippines video here .

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The Good News Pilipinas Team

  • Austal Philippines
  • Cebu shipyard
  • Denmark commission
  • Largest catamaran Denmark
  • Largest catamaran ferry
  • Philippine shipbuilding

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    Sep 5, 2023 · The term “world’s largest” must always be used with some caution and should be verified with a more detailed definition. On Saturday 29 April, Molslinjen deployed the newly built high-speed ferry EXPRESS 5 on the main corridor of Bornholmslinjen. That is between Rønne and Ystad in the state-subsidised ferry service of Bornholm.

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    Nov 27, 2024 · The operator’s another ferry called Express 1 is presently in the shipyard and cannot take the place of Express 5. The residents of Bornholm will have to utilise the two conventional ferries which have a longer transit time of around three hours. Express 5 is the largest catamaran ferry in the world and was purpose-built for Baltic conditions.

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    Nov 17, 2023 · 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 ...

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  10. Largest catamaran ferry built in Philippine shipyard ...

    Apr 4, 2023 · Express 5, the sleek-looking 115-meter high-speed ferry built in the Austal Philippines shipyard is the largest vessel constructed in the company’s 35-year history. The catamaran ferry will ply the route between Ystad in Sweden and Rønne, the largest town on the Danish island of Bornholm.