Fred. Olsen Express

Benchijigua Express

Benchijigua Express heading into a sunset en route to La Gomera

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 Gomeran 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 bananas 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 in cases where the patient would have died if the ferry did not take them.

The route between La 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 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.

The company currently operates six large fast ferries, all built by the two Australian companies that dominate the fast ferry market: three by Austal of Perth and the other three by Incat shipyards in Hobart. In addition, a smaller ferry operates locally on La Gomera.

Two new 117-metre trimarans

Bajamar Express at Austal shipyards in Henderson, Western Australia

In October 2017, five months after its competitor Naviera Armas announced the order of Volcán de Tagoro, a 10,800 GT, 1,200 passenger Incat fast catamaran ferry for the Canaries at a price of €74 million, Fred. Olsen Express responded by ordering two 117-metre (384 ft) trimarans from the Australian shipbuilder Austal at a price of €126 million. Each of the ships will have a capacity of 1,100 passengers and 276 cars and will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 38 knots (70 km/h; 44 mph).[12] The new ships will be named Bajamar Express and Bañaderos Express.[13]

The following ships have operated previously for Fred Olsen Express.

• HSC Bonanza Express
• HSC Benchi Express
• Ferry Betancuria
• Ferry Buganvilla
• Ferry Barlovento
• Ferry Betancuria
• Ferry Benchijigua
• Ferry Gomera
• Bahia Express

The company had many old slow ferries, but decided to revamp 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.

• 
  Benchi Express
• 
  Ferry Barlovento

The following ships have operated previously for Fred Olsen Express.

• HSC Benchi Express
• Ferry Betancuria
• Ferry Buganvilla
• Ferry Barlovento
• Ferry Betancuria
• Ferry Benchijigua
• Ferry Gomera
• Bahia Express

The company had many old slow ferries, but decided to revamp 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.

• 
  Benchi Express
• 
  Ferry Barlovento

The Bonanza Express ran aground in early December 2008. All 175 passengers were evacuated safely. It lost control when entering the port of Los Cristianos. 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 Ramsgate and Boulogne.[21] However, although this service from Ramsgate to Boulogne was still due to start on 1 March 2010 after many delays, the Bonanza Express is now back with Fred Olsen, having been seen on the Los Cristianos webcam.[22]

Bonanza Express after running aground in 2008.

• Fred. Olsen Express — official site
• Fred. Olsen Express — images and detailed information
• Fred. Olsen Express — HSC information page

Media related to Fred. Olsen Express at Wikimedia Commons