Fred. Olsen Express
Encyclopedia
Fred. Olsen Express is an inter island ferry
service based in the Canary Islands
, Spain
. The company operates a fleet of six modern fast ferries, including the world's first trimaran
fast ferry, the Benchijigua Express
, which entered service in 2005. Fred Olsen Express operates five routes throughout the Canaries. The company is owned by the Olsen family controlled Bonheur
and Ganger Rolf
, that among other things also owns the shipping companies Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
and First Olsen Tankers
.
Fred. Olsen Express was founded in 1974 as Ferry Gomera, S.A. The first sailing took place July 8, 1974, when a ferry set sail from the Gomera
n capital of San Sebastian de La Gomera
for the town of Los Cristianos
in Tenerife
. The first ferry to operate the route was christened the Benchijigua, which is named after a small village located in the South of La Gomera
. It also was in keeping with a long tradition of Fred. Olsen which was that all name of the company's ships should begin with the letter B.
Until this first sailing the island of La Gomera
had practically been isolated and was only ever visited by a single boat which came to collect banana
s and tomatoes, that the island produced for export
to Europe, and in return dropped of supplies for the island. It was the opening of this first route by Fred Olsen that really brought about changes for the Gomerans. The ferry even set sail for emergencies, sometimes with only a single ambulance and patient on-board, and for the simple reason that if the ferry did not take the patient the patient would have died.
The route between Gomera
and Tenerife
initially operated three times a day in each direction and took 80 minutes, and was capable of handling 400 passengers and around 60 cars. Within six months of the route opening 100,000 people had used the crossing, a figure that far exceeded expectations. As a gesture of goodwill a free coach was provided from Los Cristianos in the South of Tenerife
to the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife
. Five years after the launch of the service a new larger and faster ferry was added, the Bonanza. The ship had previously been served with the company in Northern Europe, but was transferred to the Gomera route. Then again in 1989 still trading as Ferry Gomera the company introduced a route from Los Cristianos
to San Sebastian de La Gomera
using a ferry named the SES Sant’ Agata (later the Gomera Express) which was promoted as "fast and comfortable". The crossing took only 35 minutes. Also in 1989 a route was established between Playa Blanca
, Lanzarote
and Corralejo
, Fuerteventura
which was operated by the ferry Betancuria.
By 1990 Ferry Gomera had made a grand total of 29,095 ferry crossings and travelled 1,163,800 kilometres (625,542 miles or 29 trips around the world). The total number of vehicles carried was nearly 722,200,00. The route had also carried nearly 900 patients as well as 20 additional critical emergency crossings. In 1994 Fred. Olsen signed a deal with the Canarian Postal Service to offer an on-board post office on board the Benchijigua Express. A fourth daily service was also added. The year 2000 saw the entry of the Benchijigua Express on the Gomera route. In 2005, a brand new trimaran, also named Benchijigua Express entered service on the Tenerife to La Gomera and Tenerife to La Palma route. The old Benchijigua Express was renamed Bentago Express and placed on the Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Gran Canaria route.
.
which was the capital of Fuerteventura until 1834.
The company had many old slow ferries, but decided to revamp at the turn of the century in 2000.
This meant that most of the old ferries were sold on, being replaced by High Speed Catamarans and a new High Speed Trimaran.
and Boulogne. However, although this service from Ramsgate to Boulogne was still due to start on March 1, 2010 after many delays, the Bonanza Express is now back with Fred Olsen, having been seen on the Los Cristianos webcam.
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
service based in the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. The company operates a fleet of six modern fast ferries, including the world's first trimaran
Trimaran
A trimaran is a multihulled boat consisting of a main hull and two smaller outrigger hulls , attached to the main hull with lateral struts...
fast ferry, the Benchijigua Express
Benchijigua Express
Benchijigua Express is a fast ferry, operated by shipping company Fred. Olsen S.A. between the Canary Islands, Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma in the Atlantic. It was delivered to Olsen in April 2005...
, which entered service in 2005. Fred Olsen Express operates five routes throughout the Canaries. The company is owned by the Olsen family controlled Bonheur
Bonheur
For the artist, see Rosa BonheurBonheur is a Norwegian holding company for the Olsen family. The company is listed on Oslo Stock Exchange and has ownership in numerous companies within energy, shipping and other sectors. The Bonheur company controls the Ganger Rolf company which has a 19.51%...
and Ganger Rolf
Ganger Rolf ASA
Ganger Rolf ASA is a Norwegian holding company for the Olsen family. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and has ownership positions in numerous companies primarily within the energy and shipping sectors, but also other areas such as real estate and mass media. All investments are...
, that among other things also owns the shipping companies Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is a UK based, Norwegian-owned cruise shipping line with four cruise ships. The company headquarters are in Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom and is owned by Bonheur and Ganger Rolf. The company is part of the Fred...
and First Olsen Tankers
First Olsen Tankers
First Olsen Tankers Ltd AS is a Norwegian shipping company owned by Ganger Rolf ASA and Bonheur and affiliated with Fred. Olsen & Co. The company is registered in Bermuda....
.
History
Gomera
Gomera usually refers to La Gomera, the second-smallest of Spain's Canary Islands.Gomera may also refer to:-Places:* La Gomera, Escuintla, a municipality in the Escuintla department of Guatemala....
n capital of San Sebastian de La Gomera
San Sebastián de La Gomera
San Sebastián de la Gomera is a town and also an administrative district on La Gomera in the Canary Islands. Its population is 2,176 , its density is 47.6/km² and the area is 114.78 km²....
for the town of Los Cristianos
Los Cristianos
Los Cristianos is a town in Spain with a population of approximately 19,000 , situated on the south coast of the Canary Island of Tenerife. Located in the municipality of Arona between the cone of the mountain Chayofita and the greater mountain Guaza. The town centre is around the Los Cristianos...
in Tenerife
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
. The first ferry to operate the route was christened the Benchijigua, which is named after a small village located in the South of La Gomera
La Gomera
La Gomera is one of Spain's Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. In area, it is the second-smallest of the seven main islands of this group.- Political organization :...
. It also was in keeping with a long tradition of Fred. Olsen which was that all name of the company's ships should begin with the letter B.
Until this first sailing the island of La Gomera
La Gomera
La Gomera is one of Spain's Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. In area, it is the second-smallest of the seven main islands of this group.- Political organization :...
had practically been isolated and was only ever visited by a single boat which came to collect banana
Banana
Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa and for the fruit they produce. Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors when ripe, including yellow, purple, and red....
s and tomatoes, that the island produced for export
Export
The term export is derived from the conceptual meaning as to ship the goods and services out of the port of a country. The seller of such goods and services is referred to as an "exporter" who is based in the country of export whereas the overseas based buyer is referred to as an "importer"...
to Europe, and in return dropped of supplies for the island. It was the opening of this first route by Fred Olsen that really brought about changes for the Gomerans. The ferry even set sail for emergencies, sometimes with only a single ambulance and patient on-board, and for the simple reason that if the ferry did not take the patient the patient would have died.
The route between Gomera
Gomera
Gomera usually refers to La Gomera, the second-smallest of Spain's Canary Islands.Gomera may also refer to:-Places:* La Gomera, Escuintla, a municipality in the Escuintla department of Guatemala....
and Tenerife
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
initially operated three times a day in each direction and took 80 minutes, and was capable of handling 400 passengers and around 60 cars. Within six months of the route opening 100,000 people had used the crossing, a figure that far exceeded expectations. As a gesture of goodwill a free coach was provided from Los Cristianos in the South of Tenerife
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
to the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital , second-most populous city of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands and the 21st largest city in Spain, with a population of 222,417 in 2009...
. Five years after the launch of the service a new larger and faster ferry was added, the Bonanza. The ship had previously been served with the company in Northern Europe, but was transferred to the Gomera route. Then again in 1989 still trading as Ferry Gomera the company introduced a route from Los Cristianos
Los Cristianos
Los Cristianos is a town in Spain with a population of approximately 19,000 , situated on the south coast of the Canary Island of Tenerife. Located in the municipality of Arona between the cone of the mountain Chayofita and the greater mountain Guaza. The town centre is around the Los Cristianos...
to San Sebastian de La Gomera
San Sebastián de La Gomera
San Sebastián de la Gomera is a town and also an administrative district on La Gomera in the Canary Islands. Its population is 2,176 , its density is 47.6/km² and the area is 114.78 km²....
using a ferry named the SES Sant’ Agata (later the Gomera Express) which was promoted as "fast and comfortable". The crossing took only 35 minutes. Also in 1989 a route was established between Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca, meaning "White Beach" is the southernmost town of the Spanish island of Lanzarote. It is the newest, yet fastest growing resort on the Island...
, Lanzarote
Lanzarote
Lanzarote , a Spanish island, is the easternmost of the autonomous Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 125 km off the coast of Africa and 1,000 km from the Iberian Peninsula. Covering 845.9 km2, it stands as the fourth largest of the islands...
and Corralejo
Corralejo
The town and resort of Corralejo is located on the northern tip of Fuerteventura, one of the Canary Islands, facing the small islet of Lobos . It is placed in the municipality of La Oliva....
, Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura , a Spanish island, is one of the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is situated at 28°20' north, 14°00' west. At 1,660 km² it is the second largest of the Canary Islands, after Tenerife...
which was operated by the ferry Betancuria.
By 1990 Ferry Gomera had made a grand total of 29,095 ferry crossings and travelled 1,163,800 kilometres (625,542 miles or 29 trips around the world). The total number of vehicles carried was nearly 722,200,00. The route had also carried nearly 900 patients as well as 20 additional critical emergency crossings. In 1994 Fred. Olsen signed a deal with the Canarian Postal Service to offer an on-board post office on board the Benchijigua Express. A fourth daily service was also added. The year 2000 saw the entry of the Benchijigua Express on the Gomera route. In 2005, a brand new trimaran, also named Benchijigua Express entered service on the Tenerife to La Gomera and Tenerife to La Palma route. The old Benchijigua Express was renamed Bentago Express and placed on the Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Gran Canaria route.
Benchijigua Express
The Benchijigua Express is a fast trimaran, operated by the company between Los Cristianos in Tenerife, San Sebastian in La Gomera, Santa Cruz in La Palma and La Estaca in El Hierro. It was delivered to Olsen in April 2005 by Australian shipbuilding giant Austal. See Article: Benchijigua ExpressBenchijigua Express
Benchijigua Express is a fast ferry, operated by shipping company Fred. Olsen S.A. between the Canary Islands, Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma in the Atlantic. It was delivered to Olsen in April 2005...
Bencomo and Bentago Express
The Bentago Express and Bencomo Express are very similar fast catamarans, operated by the company between Santa Cruz in Tenerife and Agaete in Gran Canaria. They were both delivered to Olsen in the late 1990s/early 2000s.Benchi Express
The Benchi Express is a 40m catamaran delivered to Olsen in March 2009. The Benchi Express connects Los Cristianos in Tenerife and San Sebastian de la Gomera, then going on to connect Playa Santiago to Valle Gran Rey in La Gomera. The main crossing takes 55 minutes from Los Cristianos to San Sebastian. The ferry was acquired from Italian operator SNAV. The ship was previously called SNAV Aquila. and came about after the collapse of Garajonay ExpressGarajonay Express
Garajonay Express was a ferry company in the Canary Islands which ceased operating in November 2008.The firm was named after the National park Garajonay on the island of La Gomera. See article: Garajonay National Park.-Routes:...
.
Bocayna Express
The Bocayna Express is a fast catamaran, operated by the company between Playa Blanca in Lanzarote and Corralejo in Fuertaventura . The ferry has operated the 15 minute crossing since 2003 when it was delivered by Australian shipbuilder Austal.Bonanza Express
The Bonanza Express is a fast catamaran,similar to the Bentago and Bencomo Express, operated by the company between the islands of Tenerife, El Hierro, and La Gomera. The Bonanza Express was meant to be sold to Euroferries for a service between Ramsgate and Boulogne, but the deal fell through and the Bonanza Express has found its way back with Fred Olsen in the Canaries once more.Betancuria
The Betancuria is a conventional car / passenger ferry which operates a new route linking Gran Canaria with Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Built in 1981, the Betancuria can carry 1,536 passengers and 450 cars. The vessel is named after the city of BetancuriaBetancuria
Betancuria is a Canarian municipality in the northern portion of the island of Fuerteventura in the Spanish province of Las Palmas, Canary Islands....
which was the capital of Fuerteventura until 1834.
Lineas Fred. Olsen
The following ships have operated previously for Fred Olsen Express.- Ferry Buganvilla
- Ferry Barlovento
- Ferry Betancuria
- Ferry Benchijigua
- Ferry Gomera
- Bahia Express - similar to the new Benchi Express
The company had many old slow ferries, but decided to revamp at the turn of the century in 2000.
This meant that most of the old ferries were sold on, being replaced by High Speed Catamarans and a new High Speed Trimaran.
Incidents and accidents
The Bonanza Express ran aground in early December 2008. All 175 passengers were evacuated safely. It lost control when entering the port. The ship suffered substantial damage, but was not in danger of sinking, Fred Olsen general director Juan Ramsden said. The reason for the accident appeared to be linked to a failure of the ferry's reverse system, according to Ramsden. The ferry leaked up to three tons of fuel. The presence of cars on the deck slowed down attempts to take it to a shipyard for repairs. The Bonanza Express was planned to be in operation with Euroferries on a route between RamsgateRamsgate
Ramsgate is a seaside town in the district of Thanet in east Kent, England. It was one of the great English seaside towns of the 19th century and is a member of the ancient confederation of Cinque Ports. It has a population of around 40,000. Ramsgate's main attraction is its coastline and its main...
and Boulogne. However, although this service from Ramsgate to Boulogne was still due to start on March 1, 2010 after many delays, the Bonanza Express is now back with Fred Olsen, having been seen on the Los Cristianos webcam.