Lineas Fred.Olsen
Ferry Gomera
 
 
This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of the Canary Islands services of Fred.Olsen. These services were originally operated as Ferry Gomera, but the company was renamed Lineas Fred.Olsen in 1993.
 
An alphabetical list of ships shown on this page is shown below. The Table beneath gives links to complete postcard history pages on selected individual ships. Below the table are postcards and photographs of the fleet in chronological order, followed by photographs of the fast ferry fleet. My thanks go to Juan Ramsden of Fred. Olsen, S.A. for supplying many of these photographs.
 

Brief History of Lineas Fred.Olsen
(from www.fredolsen.es/Lineas)
 
The presence of the Olsen Family in the Canaries goes back to 1907 when Thomas Olsen, and later on, his son Fred., father of the President of the Company, created a small agriculture structure at the Southern part of the island of La Gomera. Thomas Olsen established at La Lomada de Tecina and Playa Santiago, and was the first in cultivating the tomato and later the banana exploitation.
 
In 1974 Ferry Gomera, S.A. was created, and the 8th of July same year, the first Benchijigua started the service between the ports of San Sebastián de La Gomera and Los Cristianos.
 
Ferry Gomera has changed the vessel three times. The year of the inauguration, Fred.Olsen transported the figure of 25,000 passengers. Over 25 years, the figure of passengers who feel confident about the success of the Company is of 15 million people. In January 2000, the Benchijigua (3) was substituted for a new fast ferry, Benchijigua Express (941 passengers and 80 vehicles), which makes the journey in 30 minutes.
 
The company realised a landmark in the maritime communications of the islands when incorporating to the fleet in 1999 the fast ferry Bonanza Express, one of the most modern vessels in the world which links Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Agaete (Gran Canaria) in 1 hour. At the end of the year 1999, this maritime line was reinforced with the incorporation of the Bentayga Express, a fast ferry with a capacity for 900 passengers and 250 vehicles.
 
Conventional ferries Betancuria (3), Buganvilla and Barlavento were replaced by fast ferries in 2001, 2003 and 2005, converting the fleet totally to high speed craft. The company has a policy of giving ships route-specific names, hence frequent changes. These changes have accelarated with the fast ferries, Benchijigua Express (1) having been renamed twice since delivery in 1999.
 
 
Conventional Ferries on This Page:-
Bajamar - ex-Betancuria (2)
Bañaderos - later Barlavento
Barlavento - ex-Bañaderos
Benchijigua (1) - later Betancuria (1)
Benchijigua (2)
Benchijigua (3) - later Betancuria (3)
Betancuria (1) - ex-Benchijigua (1)
Betancuria (2) - later Bajamar
Betancuria (3) - ex-Benchijigua (3)
Buganvilla
 
Fast Ferries on This Page:-
Benchijigua Express (1) - later Bentayga Express, then Bencomo Express
Benchijigua Express (2) - later Bentago Express
Benchijigua Express (3)
Bencomo Express - ex-Bentayga Express, Benchijigua Express (1)
Bentago Express - ex-Benchijigua Express (2)
Bentayga Express - ex-Benchijigua Express (1), later Bencomo Express
Bonanza Express
Bocayna Express
 
Associated Pages:-
Comarit - Fred Olsen Spain-Africa servics
Fred Olsen Cruises - cruise ships since 1987
Fred Olsen Lines - North Sea ferry services
Grenå-Hundested Lines
Jydsk Faergefart
Townsend-Thoresen
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
www.fredolsen.es - official Lineas Fred.Olsen website
 
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Table of Ship Histories

Name

Other names

 Built
 Bañaderos  Viking Voyager, Pride of Cherbourg, Barlavento

 1976
 Barlavento  Viking Voyager, Pride of Cherbourg, Bañaderos

 1976
 Benchijigua (1)  Betancuria (1), Akraborg, Sæbjórg

 1974
 Benchijigua (3)  Djursland II, Djursland, Betancuria, Sara I

 1974
 Betancuria (1)  Benchijigua (1), Akraborg, Sæbjórg

 1974
 Betancuria (3)  Djursland, Djursland II, Benchijigua, Sara I

 1974
 Buganvilla  Betula

 1968
 
 
 
 
 
Fred Olsen Fleet List
 
 
 
Benchijigua (1) - Betancuria (1) (1974-1980)
 
Benchijigua (1) was built in 1974 by Trondhjems M/V, Aker Trondelag A/S, Trondheim, for Ferry Gomera SA. She operated between Agaete and San Sebastian de la Gomera. In 1980 Benchijigua was renamed Betancuria (1) and transfered to the Corralejo-Playa Blanca route. Betancuria was sold in 1984 to H/f Skallagrimur, Akranes, Iceland and renamed Akraborg for service between Reykjavik and Akranes. She maintained this until 1998 when she was taken over by Slysavarnarfelag for service with their Maritime Safety and Survival Training Centre (Slysavarnaskóli sjómanna). She was renamed Sæbjórg.
 
 
Complete history of Benchijigua (1)
 
Postcard of Benchijigua (1), plus enlarged image.
 
This photo as Betancuria (1) was supplied by Lineas Fred.Olsen.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benchijigua (2) - Bajamar
(1980-2000)
 
Benchijigua (2) was built in Norway for Fred Olsen Lines in 1972 as the Bonanza, and served on the Kristiansand-Hirtshals route, plus regular charters, until 1980. She was then sold to associated company Ferry Gomera for Canary Islands service Los Christianos-San Sebastian as the Benchijigua (2). In 1994 she was renamed Bajamar and transferred to the Tenerife-Agaete route. In 1999 she was chartered to Acor Lines as Chachalote. In 2001 she was sold to Philipines owners as Blessed Mother.
 
 
Unidentified postcard of Benchijigua (2) leaving San Sebastian de la Gomera, in Ferry Gomera colours.
 
Postcard of Benchijigua (2) at San Sebastian de la Gomera, in Ferry Gomera colours.
 
Postcard of Benchijigua (2) at San Sebastian de la Gomera, in Ferry Gomera colours.
Enlarged image from the card shown above.
 
Official Lineas Fred.Olsen postcard as Bajamar.
 
This photo was supplied by Lineas Fred.Olsen.
 
 
 
 
 
Betancuria (2)
(1988-96)
 
Betancuria (2) was purchased by Fred. Olsen in 1988 (ex-Tungenes (1966-1974), ex-Akraborg (1974-1984), ex-Sunflower (1984-1988)) and sold in 1996. She subsequently served as Cuidad de Melilla and Elisa B, and I believe the vessel was lost some time after 1998. She was built in 1966 in Storviks. Kristiansund Norway. Prior to purchase, she had served as the "butter boat" Sunflower on the German Baltic coast.
 
 
Sunshine Shipping Line (Flensburg) postcard of Sunflower (later Betancuria).
 
Official Lineas Fred.Olsen sticker of Betancuria.
 
 
 

Buganvilla
(1992-2003)
 
Buganvilla. was built by Meyer Werft, Germany, in 1968 as the Betula for Scandinavian Ferry Lines' Linjebuss service between Helsingor and Helsingborg. She was sold to Lineas Fred.Olsen in 1992 for the Corralejo (Fuertaventura) to Playa Blanca (Lanzorote) service. She was replaced by fast ferry Bocayna Express in 2003, and sold for further service as Tarrafal of Cape Verde Islands operator Capeverdiana.
 
 
Simplon Postcards release sp1139 (issued March 1993) of Buganvilla in Svendborg, Denmark, prior to delivery to Fred.Olsen.
Photograph by Peter Therkildsen.
 
Official Lineas Fred.Olsen postcard of Buganvilla.
 
Postcard of Lanzarote showing Buganvilla.
Scan: Cees de Bijl.
 
Photo: © Lineas Fred.Olsen
 
Photo: © Lineas Fred.Olsen
 
 
 
Buganvilla off Playa Blanca, Lanzarote.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, December 2001.
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, December 2001.
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, December 2001.
 
 
 
 
 
Bañaderos - Barlavento
(1994-2005)
 
Bañaderos was built as the Townsend-Thoresen ferry Viking Voyager in 1976 for the Felixstowe-Zeebrugge service. In 1986 she was transferred to the Portsmouth-Cherbourg service and was renamed Pride of Cherbourg in 1989. She was sold in 1994 to Lineas Fred.Olsen, renamed Bañaderos, and placed on the Santa Cruz de Tenerife-Agaete service. In 1999 she was renamed Barlavento and transferred to the Los Cristianos-Santa Cruz de la Palma/Valverde routes. Barlavento was replaced by the delayed Benchijigua Express (3) in 2005, and was the last conventional ferry in Lineas Fred.Olsen service. She was sold to Greek operator Saos Ferries.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Official Lineas Fred.Olsen postcard of Bañaderos.
 
Photo: © Lineas Fred.Olsen
 
Photo: © Lineas Fred.Olsen
 
Benchijigua Express with the "old Benchijigua" and Barlavento in La Gomera.
Photo: © Lineas Fred.Olsen
 
 
 
 
 
Benchijigua (3) - Betancuria (3) (1994-2002)
 
Benchijigua (3) was built in 1974 by Schichau-Unterweser AG, Bremerhaven, Germany for Jydsk Faergefart A/S, Grenå, Denmark, as the Djursland II. Djursland II was used on the service between Grenå-Hundested. Her sistership was Kalle III, also delivered in 1974. In 1981 Djursland II was sold to DFDS and renamed Djursland (the fourth of this name). In 1984 Djursland (IV) was sold on to J.Laurizen, Denmark, and in 1988 back to Grenå-Hundested Linien A/S, Grenå, Denmark.
 
In 1994 Djursland (IV) was sold to Lineas Fred.Olsen, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and renamed Benchijigua (3) for use on Canary Islands services between Los Cristianos-La Gomera-La Palma. In 2000 Benchijigua (3) was renamed again as Betancuria (3) for services between Las Palmas-Puerto Rosario-Arrecife. Betancuria (3) was laid up in 2001 and sold in 2002 to El Salam Shipping & Trading, Panama, with the name Sara I.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Official Lineas Fred.Olsen postcard of Benchijigua.
 
This photo was supplied by Lineas Fred.Olsen.
 
This Fred.Olsen Lines picture shows Benchijigua Express with the "old Benchijigua" and Barlavento in La Gomera.
 
Postcard of Benchijigua (3) at San Sebastian de la Gomera.
 
 
 
 
 
Fast Ferries
 
 
Bonanza Express
(1999- )
 
Official Fred.Olsen postcard of Bonanza Express (foreground) and Bentayga Express.
 
Official Fred.Olsen postcard of Bonanza Express (foreground) and Bentayga Express.
Enlarged image from the card shown above.
 
Postcard of Bonanza Express.
 
Enlarged image of Bonanza Express from the postcard above.
 
Official Fred.Olsen photograph of Bonanza Express.
 
Official Fred.Olsen photograph of Bonanza Express.
 
Bonanza Express (background) and Bentayga Express (Fred.Olsen photo).
 
 
 
Bonanza Express in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, January 2002.
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, January 2002.
 
Bonanza Express at La Gomera.
Photo: © John Sutherland
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
Benchijigua Express (1) (1999)
Bentayga Express (1999-2004)
Bencomo Express (2004- )
 
Bentayga Express is an InCat Evolution 10 design, launched as the Benchijigua Express for the San Sebastian-Los Cristianos route. Since shore installations were incomplete, she entered service as Bentayga Express between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Agaete. Bentayga Express was again renamed Bencomo Express in November 2004.
 
 
Official Fred.Olsen postcard of Bentayga Express (background) and Bonanza Express.
 
Official Fred.Olsen postcard of Bentayga Express (background) and Bonanza Express.
Enlarged image from the card shown above.
 
Official Fred.Olsen postcard of Benchijigua Express or Bentayga Express.
 
Bentayga Express in dry dock (Fred.Olsen photo).
 
Bentayga Express (foreground) and Bonanza Express (Fred.Olsen photo).
 
 
 
Bentayga Express in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, January 2002.
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, January 2002.
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, January 2002.
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, January 2002.
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, January 2002.
 
 
 
 
 
Benchijigua Express (2) (2000-2004)
Bentago Express (2004- )
 
Benchijigua Express entered service between Los Christianos-San Sebastian. in January 2000, In November 2004 she was renamed Bentago Express, freeing up Benchijigua Express for Benchijigua Express (3).

Official Fred.Olsen postcard of Benchijigua Express or Bentayga Express.
 
Official Fred.Olsen postcard of Benchijigua Express.
 
The fourth Benchijigua on the San Sebastian-Los Cristianos route, in a Fred.Olsen photo.
 
This Fred.Olsen Lines picture shows Benchijigua Express with the "old Benchijigua" and Barlavento in La Gomera.
 
Bentago Express at La Gomera.
Photo: © John Sutherland
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
Bocayna Express
(2003- )
 
Bocayna Express was delivered to Fred Olsen in 2003 by Austal Ships. She is used on the route Corralejo-Playa Blanca (Lanzarote-Fuerteventura), replacing the Buganvilla.
 
 
Fred Olsen image of Bocayna Express.
 
Fred Olsen image of Bocayna Express.
 
Fred Olsen image of Bocayna Express.
 
Fred Olsen image of Bocayna Express.
 
Postcard of Bocayna Express at Playa Blanc, Lanzarote.
Scan: John Sutherland.
 
 
 
 
 
Benchijigua Express (3)
(2005- )
 
Benchijigua Express (3) was delivered to Fred Olsen in 2005 by Austal Ships.
 
 
Austal Ships advert for Benchijigua Express (2).
 
Austal Ships advert for Benchijigua Express (2).
Enlarged image from the advert above.
 
Fred Olsen image of Benchijigua Express (2), on her arrival at Tenerife.
 
Fred Olsen image of Benchijigua Express (2), on her arrival at Tenerife.
 
Fred Olsen image of Benchijigua Express (2).
 
Fred Olsen image of Benchijigua Express (2).
 
Fred Olsen image of Benchijigua Express (2).
 
 
Benchijigua Express (2) at La Gomera.
Photo: © John Sutherland
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
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