Jnr News

A BP drilling rig heading to an oilfield in the British North Sea has been forced to turn away twice over the past two days as a Greenpeace vessel protesting climate change tries to hamper its progress.The high-sea chase is the latest step in Greenpeace's nine-day effort to stop the 40,000 tonne Paul Loyd JNR rig from reaching the Vorlich oilfield to start its drilling campaign.The vessel left Cromarty Firth, north of Inverness, Scotland on Friday after police twice removed activists…

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ managing director, Mike Rodwell, is to retire at the end of August 2019, following 15 years in the role and 31 years with the business.Mike has worked across a number of the Fred. Olsen businesses since he joined the group in 1987, with his first role as accountant for Fred. Olsen’s first-ever designated cruise ship, Black Prince.Following this initial role, Mike spent four years as Financial Controller for Fred. Olsen Travel, before a brief period as Financial and Commercial Manager for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, from September 1994 to November 1995.It was then that Mike became Commercial Director, a role that he held for eight-and-a-half years…

Even a cursory analysis of the performance and capacity specifications of the Auto Express 66 catamaran “Bocayna Express” makes it obvious that Austal Ships has provided Fred. Olsen, SA with a class-leading ferry that reflects each company’s position at the forefront of the international fast ferry industry. Now that the 66 metre vehicle-passenger catamaran has completed sea trials and been handed over, the Australian shipbuilder and Spanish ferry operator are pleased to confirm that both speed and deadweight are higher than previously revealed. During construction every effort was made to save weight and a significant reduction in displacement has resulted in a fantastic improvement in maximum deadweight, which is in excess of 300 tonnes.

The newest and most significant vessel yet to arrive on the world fast ferry scene was christened Benchijigua Express in a ceremony at the yard of high speed ship builder Austal in Henderson, Western Australia on November 5. Godmother of the vessel Mrs Juana Hernández Cabrera, wife of Fred. Olsen, S.A. Managing Director Mr Guillermo Van de Waal, cut the ribbon to christen the trimaran with a magnum of champagne across her bow. Also in attendance from Fred. Olsen, S.A. were Mr Fred Olsen Jnr, Chairman, the vessel’s senior officers and management from the company’s European offices. Powered by four diesel engines driving three waterjets the Auto Express 127 trimaran will be able to maintain Fred.

Australian shipbuilder Austal Ships and European ferry operator Fred. Olsen, S.A. are delighted to announce the signing of an historic contract for the world’s largest high-speed multihull vessel which will be based on a new hullform. When delivered in the second half of 2004, the 126.7 metre cargo-vehicle-passenger fast ferry will also be larger than any existing diesel-powered fast ferry – catamaran or monohull. It is also believed to be the world’s largest all-aluminium ship. Confirmation of the order demonstrates both companies’ leadership in the global fast ship industry and is the outcome of a collaboration, involving more than three years of research and development effort, to produce the new design.