Austal, Fred. Olsen Partner on Trimarans

Australian-based global ship building company Austal and the UK-based, Norwegian-owned cruise shipping line Fred. Olsen have partnered on two next generation trimarans with advanced environmental credentials.

Starting with the design process, Austal’s R&D team used optimized lightweight structures and the benefits of Austal’s ongoing weight reduction program to reduce the power required to achieve the vessel’s high speed.

This results in significantly lower emissions from the main engines compared to a steel vessel equivalent. In addition, all-aluminum vessels do not require the same corrosion protection required in steel vessels, eliminating potential pollutants from entering the marine environment.

Austal’s advanced hull form design includes a very slender center hull that reduces in-water drag. As well as reducing power demand, it has been specifically designed to reduce wave wash compared to other high speed vessels. This lowers the impact on surrounding environments such as beaches, coastal environments and marine life forms, as well as on nearby vessels.

Austal’s latest trimaran design features the latest generation engines and waterjets which have substantially lower emissions compared to older technology. This combined with modern lightweight fiber optic cabling and low energy LED lighting has created one of the lowest emission high speed craft Austal has designed.

The vessel will be supported in operation with the latest Austal MARINELINK Smart Technology which assists the vessel’s crew to reduce energy consumption by providing real time analysis on optimum vessel routing, weather, sea conditions and operational use, all targeted at reducing the vessel’s fuel consumption and emissions and streamlining sustainment requirements.

Austal CEO David Singleton celebrated the long term partnership with Fred. Olsen and the benefits it supported in technological development.

“Since Austal first designed and built the Benchijigua Express 127m trimaran for Fred. Olsen Express in 2005 both companies have been committed to continuously developing new and innovative technologies that are at the forefront of maritime technology,” he said.

“With the increasing need for environmentally friendly transport solutions Austal is delighted to once again be leading the industry with a next generation solution for Fred. Olsen.”

Fred. Olsen Fleet Director, Juan Ignacio Liaño explained that sustainability and environmental care has always been in Fred. Olsen’s DNA.

“We have been working on pioneer measures in environmental efficiency matters for more than 45 years, and in Austal we have found the perfect partner to continue making progress on this path,” he said.

“Fred. Olsen is immersed in other environmental sustainability projects, such as navigation through ZEC areas, with the aim of protecting marine fauna; the replacement of the single-use plastics; the voluntary registration of the carbon footprint and the environmental certification ISO 14001 standard, which will certify our environmental management system.”