Bornholm’s new record ferry reintroduces the extra school camp deck and takes design details from Incat
The length and width dimensions of EXPRESS 5 are not significantly larger than those of EXPRESS 1, which EXPRESS 5 takes over from on the Rønne – Ystad route. This is almost three extra meters in length and 20 cm more in width. Still, EXPRESS 5 has 35 percent more passenger space than EXPRESS 1 for the 400 extra passengers which can be seated.
This is of course primarily due to the extra passenger deck behind the bridge. Austal presented it for the second time in Danish waters on Fjord Line’s newbuilding FJORD FSTR in 2021.
For the people of Bornholm, the extra deck is a practical and functional solution that was first introduced on the fast ferry LEONORA CHRISTINA.
Read more: World’s largest high-speed ferry is the second quantum leap on Bornholm’s lifeline
Practical in the sense that Bornholm has always been a favourite school camp destination for schools all over Denmark, which is why the upper passenger deck on LEONORA CHRISTINA proved to be practical for the many large groups of young travellers supervised by their teachers.
Better utilization of space
The car decks on EXPRESS 5 also represent a significant increase in capacity compared to EXPRESS 1. In addition to the marginally larger external dimensions, Austal’s more rectangular design compared to Incat’s EXPRESS 1 contributes to a better utilization of space on the car decks in the stern.
But EXPRESS 5, like the two slightly smaller Austal sisters, EXPRESS 4 and FJORD FSTR, has the chutes for the mass evacuation systems located on the passenger deck instead of out in the side casings on the upper car deck. This increases the car capacity, as the side casings can thus be made smaller.
In a comparison with Incat catamarans, which shall make up the majority of Molslinjen’s fleet of high-speed ferries, the EXPRESS 5 is closer to Incat’s design philosophy in certain key details. EXPRESS 5 is thus the first large car and passenger catamaran from Austal to have a noise- and vibration-damping rubber suspended membrane under the passenger deck. Something Incat has used through generations of catamarans.
1,625 seats
The EXPRESS 5 also does not have the triangle window profiles that have been a kind of hallmark on several of Austal’s large high-speed ferries.
This has been one of the few visual signs that reveal to you on Molslinjen’s Kattegat-operation whether it is Incat’s EXPRESS 3 or Austal’s EXPRESS 4 that is in the process of transporting you between Aarhus and Sjællands Odde
The High-Speed Code requires life jackets under each of the fixed aircraft seats. Therefore, the number of aircraft seats must at least correspond to the number of passengers in the vessel’s certificate. EXPRESS 5 has a total of 1,625 aircraft seats plus several sofas that go beyond the minimum number of seats.
Two different markets
There is a difference between Molslinjen’s commercial fast ferry concept on the Rønne – Ystad route and on the Kattegat. Partly because there are contractual requirements from the Danish State that must be fulfilled on the subsidised Bornholm route, while Molslinjen commercially can do what they want on Kattegat.
And partly because the two markets also have different customer bases. The business segment is far larger on Kattegat, while there are far more commuters on the Ystad route – just as the Rønne – Ystad route also experiences far greater seasonal fluctuations than the Aarhus – Sjællands Odde route.
Therefore, the counterpart to Business Blue Class on EXPRESS 5 is a dedicated commuter lounge on the port side of the front zone of the ferry. The other part of the main passenger deck at the front is therefore, opposite on Kattegat, open to everyone, who can thus enjoy the panoramic view ahead, regardless of the type of ticket.
The catering concepts also differ between the two markets. EXPRESS 5 has e.g., not a buffet restaurant, while Molslinjen’s other catering concepts, including the Barista Coffee Shop, are repeated on all the company’s large high-speed ferries. Finally, EXPRESS 5 also has a large “duty free shop”, significantly larger than the one on EXPRESS 1, while pure non-catering sales take up far less space on the Kattegat operation.
Technical facts obout EXPRESS 5
OYQL2, DIS – homeport: Rønne
Type: HSC (Hign Speed Craft) ro/ro passagervessel
Design: Austal/Auto Express 115
Owner: Molslinjen A/S, Aarhus
Operator: Bornholmslinjen (Molslinjen)
Class: DNV
Notation: 1A HSLC Ferry(B) E0 R1
Length o.a.: 115.4 m
Length: wl.: 111 m
Beam: 30.5 m
GT: 13,488
NT: 4,047
DWT.: 1,000
Building yard: Austal Philippines Pty. Ltd., Filippinerne
Yard number: H423
Lanemeter: 617 (plus 257 cars)
Cars: 450
Passengers: 1,610
Main Proplusion: 4 X Wärtsila 16V31, 39,040 kW
Waterjets: 4 X Wärtsilä/Lips LJX 1500SRI
AUX: 4 X Scania DI16M
Servicespeed: 36 knob
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