Fred. Olsen Express

Fred. Olsen Express is a Canary Islands ferry operator specializing in fast passenger, vehicle and freight services between the islands of the Spanish archipelago. The company began operations in 1974 under the name Ferry Gomera, S.A., opening a regular connection between San Sebastián de La Gomera and Los Cristianos on Tenerife. That service helped reduce La Gomera's maritime isolation and became the foundation of the company's regional network. The brand is associated with high-speed maritime transport rather than conventional long-distance ferrying. Its services link Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Gomera, La Palma, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote through routes designed for both residents and visitors. Typical crossings connect Los Cristianos with San Sebastián de La Gomera and Santa Cruz de La Palma; Santa Cruz de Tenerife with Agaete in Gran Canaria; Playa Blanca in Lanzarote with Corralejo in Fuerteventura; and Gran Canaria with Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. The company also operates local connections within La Gomera. Fred. Olsen Express modernized its fleet around the turn of the century, replacing many older conventional ferries with high-speed catamarans and trimarans. The 2005 introduction of the 126-metre Benchijigua Express, a large Austal-built trimaran, was a defining technical milestone. The vessel was described as the first trimaran of its kind in commercial fast-ferry service and became the brand's most recognizable ship. The company subsequently added further high-capacity vessels, including the Betancuria Express and the newer Bajamar Express and Bañaderos Express trimarans. The operator is part of the Norwegian Olsen family-controlled Fred. Olsen & Co. group, whose wider maritime interests include Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and First Olsen Tankers. Fred. Olsen Express is therefore a regional operating brand within a broader shipping and transport family rather than a publicly traded standalone company. Its commercial proposition combines frequent sailings, comparatively short crossing times, vehicle carriage, onboard passenger facilities and links to ports serving the islands' principal tourism and population centers. The company has also provided socially important transport during disruptions and emergencies. Its routes support inter-island mobility for residents, tourism, food and commercial supply chains, and access to health services. Over time, the fleet and route structure have changed in response to competition, demand, port infrastructure and vessel availability. In 2024, the company announced the addition of Barlovento Express, formerly operated by other ferry companies, for the Gran Canaria–Fuerteventura service. Fred. Olsen Express remains an active specialist in fast inter-island ferry transportation in the Canary Islands.

Fred. Olsen Express was established in 1974 as Ferry Gomera, S.A. Its first sailing took place on 8 July 1974, when the ferry Benchijigua travelled from San Sebastián de La Gomera to Los Cristianos in southern Tenerife. Before the route opened, La Gomera had limited maritime access and depended heavily on an occasional supply vessel associated with the island's agricultural exports. The new service materially improved links for residents, visitors and the movement of goods. The original service operated several times each day in both directions. The crossing took approximately 80 minutes and the ferry could carry about 400 passengers and 60 cars. A connecting coach service was also provided between Los Cristianos and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. In 1979, the company added the larger and faster Bonanza, which had previously operated elsewhere in the Fred. Olsen network. During the late 1980s, the business expanded beyond its original route. In 1989, a faster service using SES Sant' Agata, later known as Gomera Express, reduced the Tenerife–La Gomera crossing to roughly 35 minutes. The same year, the company established a route between Playa Blanca on Lanzarote and Corralejo on Fuerteventura, initially using Betancuria. These developments marked a shift from a single-island link to a wider inter-island network. The operator also supported essential public services. A route account cited in reference material records the carriage of nearly 900 patients and more than 20 additional emergency crossings. In 1994, Fred. Olsen signed an agreement with the Canarian postal service to provide an onboard post-office service on Benchijigua Express, while a fourth daily sailing was added to the La Gomera connection. The company began a major fleet modernization around 2000. An earlier Benchijigua Express entered service on the La Gomera route, and in 2005 a new 126-metre Austal-built trimaran with the same name was delivered. The new vessel served routes linking Tenerife with La Gomera and La Palma. The earlier ship was renamed Bentago Express and reassigned to the Tenerife–Gran Canaria market. This modernization replaced many older, slower ferries with high-speed catamarans and trimarans. Fleet development continued through the 2000s and 2010s. Incat-built vessels such as Bencomo Express, Bentago Express and Bonanza Express supported major routes, while the smaller Benchi Express served local connections on La Gomera. Benchi Express was also used for a period to maintain links after the collapse of another operator's service. In 2017, Fred. Olsen acquired the large catamaran later named Betancuria Express. The company also ordered two new 118-metre Austal trimarans, ultimately named Bajamar Express and Bañaderos Express, adding modern high-capacity vessels to the fleet. The fleet has not been free of operational incidents. In December 2008, Bonanza Express grounded while entering Los Cristianos. Its passengers were evacuated safely, although the ship suffered significant damage and a reported fuel leak. The vessel was subsequently associated with a proposed Euroferries service that did not proceed and later returned to Fred. Olsen Express operations. In November 2024, the company announced the addition of Barlovento Express from Liberty Lines for the Las Palmas–Morro Jable route. The vessel had previously operated for other ferry companies and was built by Incat in 2003. Today, Fred. Olsen Express continues to operate as a fast-ferry brand serving the Canary Islands, with passenger, car and freight transport integrated into a network supporting both tourism and daily island life.

1. 2024Barlovento Express announced

   The operator announced the addition of Barlovento Express for the Las Palmas–Morro Jable service.

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2. 2017Betancuria Express acquired

   The company acquired a 112-metre high-speed catamaran, subsequently naming it Betancuria Express.

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3. 2017Two new trimarans ordered

   Fred. Olsen ordered two 118-metre Austal trimarans, later named Bajamar Express and Bañaderos Express.

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4. 2005New Benchijigua Express delivered

   A 126-metre Austal trimaran entered service on routes from Tenerife to La Gomera and La Palma.

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5. 2003Bocayna Express enters service

   The 66-metre Austal catamaran began operating the short crossing between Playa Blanca and Corralejo.

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6. 2000Fleet modernization begins

   The company accelerated its transition from conventional ferries to high-speed catamarans and trimarans.

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7. 1994Postal-service agreement

   Fred. Olsen signed an agreement with the Canarian postal service to provide an onboard post-office service and added another daily sailing.

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8. 1989Network expansion to faster and new island links

   The company introduced a faster Tenerife–La Gomera service and opened the Playa Blanca–Corralejo route between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

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9. 1979Bonanza added to the La Gomera route

   A larger and faster ferry named Bonanza joined the service after previously operating elsewhere in the Fred. Olsen network.

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10. 1974First Ferry Gomera sailing

    The company began service on 8 July with the Benchijigua, linking San Sebastián de La Gomera and Los Cristianos in Tenerife.

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Regional fast-ferry operator focused on frequent, reliable passenger and vehicle connections across the Canary Islands.

• Benchijigua ExpressHigh-speed trimaran ferry2005

  A 126-metre Austal-built fast trimaran delivered in 2005. It operates on routes connecting Tenerife with La Gomera and La Palma and is one of the brand's principal high-capacity vessels. Its trimaran design was a major technical differentiator for Fred. Olsen Express and represented the company's move toward modern, fast inter-island transport.

• Bajamar ExpressHigh-speed trimaran ferry

  One of two 118-metre trimarans ordered from Austal during the company's fleet-renewal program announced in 2017. The vessels were designed for high-speed Canary Islands service with capacity for approximately 1,100 passengers and 276 cars, subject to operational configuration.

• Bañaderos ExpressHigh-speed trimaran ferry

  The second 118-metre Austal trimaran ordered in the 2017 modernization program. It forms part of the company's newer fast-ferry fleet and is intended for high-capacity passenger and vehicle transport between the Canary Islands.

• Betancuria ExpressHigh-speed catamaran ferry2017

  A 112-metre Austal-built high-speed catamaran acquired in 2017. Previously known as Leonora Christina and used on a Denmark–Sweden service, it was renamed Betancuria Express after a charter-back period and deployed on routes linking Gran Canaria with Fuerteventura.

• Bencomo Express and Bentago ExpressHigh-speed catamaran ferries

  Two 96-metre Incat-built fast catamarans used primarily on the Santa Cruz de Tenerife–Agaete route. They are representative of the company's late-1990s and early-2000s transition toward larger high-speed vessels for the main inter-island markets.

• Bocayna ExpressHigh-speed catamaran ferry2003

  A 66-metre Austal catamaran serving the short route between Playa Blanca in Lanzarote and Corralejo in Fuerteventura across the La Bocayna Strait. The crossing takes approximately 15 minutes and is an important vehicle and passenger link between the two islands.

• Benchi ExpressLocal catamaran ferry2017

  A 28.7-metre catamaran launched in Barcelona in 2017. It provides local maritime connections on La Gomera, linking San Sebastián with Playa Santiago and Valle Gran Rey, and can carry approximately 250 passengers.

• Bonanza ExpressHigh-speed catamaran ferry1999

  A 96-metre Incat fast catamaran introduced to the company's fleet in 1999. It has operated on routes between Gran Canaria and Lanzarote and was involved in a 2008 grounding at Los Cristianos before later returning to Fred. Olsen Express service.

• Barlovento ExpressHigh-speed catamaran ferry2024

  An Incat-built vessel constructed in 2003 and announced for Fred. Olsen Express service in November 2024. It had previously operated under names including Ciudad de Ceuta and Millenium Dos and was intended for the Las Palmas–Morro Jable route.

• 2024Addition of Barlovento ExpressProduct launch

  The company sought to deploy an additional vessel on the Gran Canaria–Fuerteventura corridor.

  What changed. Fred. Olsen announced the addition of Barlovento Express from Liberty Lines for the Las Palmas–Morro Jable route.

  Aftermath. The announcement expanded the available vessel roster for one of the company's inter-island services.

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• 2017Order for two 118-metre trimaransProduct launch

  Fred. Olsen responded to fleet and market developments following a major fast-ferry order announced by competitor Naviera Armas.

  What changed. The company ordered two Austal-built trimarans, later named Bajamar Express and Bañaderos Express.

  Aftermath. The order reinforced Fred. Olsen Express's emphasis on modern, high-capacity fast vessels.

  Order value. €126 million (2017 announcement)

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• 2005Launch of the new Benchijigua ExpressProduct launch

  The company was expanding its fast-ferry network between the western Canary Islands.

  What changed. A new 126-metre Austal trimaran entered service on Tenerife–La Gomera and Tenerife–La Palma routes.

  Aftermath. The vessel became a signature part of the company's fleet and a prominent example of large-scale commercial trimaran operation.

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• 2000High-speed fleet modernizationStrategy

  Older conventional ferries were increasingly less aligned with the company's fast inter-island positioning and changing competitive conditions.

  What changed. Fred. Olsen Express began replacing much of its older fleet with high-speed catamarans and trimarans.

  Aftermath. The modernization established the fleet model that continues to define the brand's Canary Islands operations.

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• 2024Barlovento Express added to the fleet

  Fred. Olsen Express announced the addition of Barlovento Express, an Incat-built vessel formerly operated under names including Ciudad de Ceuta and Millenium Dos, for the Las Palmas–Morro Jable route.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2017Fred. Olsen Express orders two new Austal trimarans

  The company ordered two 118-metre high-speed trimarans from Austal as part of a fleet-renewal response to developments in the Canary Islands fast-ferry market. The vessels were later named Bajamar Express and Bañaderos Express.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2017Betancuria Express joins the fleet

  Fred. Olsen Express acquired the 112-metre Austal-built high-speed catamaran previously known as Leonora Christina. After a charter period, it was renamed Betancuria Express for Canary Islands service.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2008Bonanza Express grounded at Los Cristianos

  The Bonanza Express ran aground while entering the port of Los Cristianos. All 175 passengers were evacuated safely. The vessel sustained substantial damage and reportedly leaked fuel; the operator attributed the incident's apparent cause to a failure involving the reverse system.

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1. Fred. Olsen Express
2. Fred. Olsen Express official website