Interesting Ship – Austal’s Auto Express 102 High-Speed Trimaran

Austal, the world’s largest builder of fast ferries and makers of the revolutionary trimaran Benchijiqua Express that inspired the design for the USS Independence (LCS 2), brings us the Auto Express 102 High-Speed Trimaran.  The new 102 meter trimaran is an evolution in and of itself delivering a truly next-generation transportation solution aimed at optimizing performance, seakeeping, fuel efficiency, passenger comfort and payload.

On the upper deck, the seating layout can be customized to seat between 950 and 1165 passengers at the same time offering many onboard facilities and amenities to increase passenger comfort.

The Mezzanine Deck is a mixture of fixed and hoistable decks allowing up to 132 cars with a clear deck height of 2.0 meters.  Down below, the vehicle deck has space for 245 cars or 190 truck lane meters plus 145 cars.

The trimaran’s unique hull design combined with its three MTU 20V 8000 Series diesel engines delivers high fuel efficiency across a range of operating conditions, capable of traveling more than 630nm at 39 knots.

Link – Austal’s Next Generation

Vessel Specifics

Dimensions
Length overall 102.0 metres
Length (waterline) 101.4 metres
Beam (moulded) 26.8 metres
Hull depth (moulded) 7.6 metres
Hull draft (maximum) 4.2 metres

Payload and Capacities
Passengers 1165 / 950
Outdoor seating for 12
Vehicles 245 cars
Heavy vehicles 190 lane metres for trucks and 145 cars
Clear heights
Trucks under raised mezzanine deck 4.30 metres
Cars under mezzanine deck 2.30 metres
Cars over mezzanine deck 2.00 metres
Maximum deadweight 700 tons

Propulsion
Main engines 3 x MTU 20V 8000 M71L
9,100 kW @ 1,150 rpm
Gearboxes 3 x ZF 53800
Waterjets 3 x Wartsila LJX 1300

Performance
Speed Up to 39 knots
Deadweight 700 tonnes
Range 630 nm

Classification
Germanischer Lloyd
100 A5, HSC – B OC3 High Speed Passenger / Ro-Ro Type, MC, AUT
Bahamian Flag Authority