Benchijigua Express’ 40 knot service speed is delivered by three Kamewa waterjets in the central hull powered by four diesel engines located in two separate engine rooms. A central boost jet of type 180 BII is driven by two coupled engines in the forward engine room, while on either side of it is a steerable and reversible Kamewa 125 SII waterjet. Each of these wing units is powered by its own engine, the two of which are installed in the aft engine room. All engines have the same 8,200kW power output and there is an intention to uprate this to 9,100kW each next year.

Effective manoeuvring of this very large vessel was a top priority. The steering and reversing capabilities of the wing waterjets are therefore supplemented by two Ulstein Aquamaster bow thrusters. These are UL601 retractable azimuth thrusters arranged in tandem under the bow of the central hull, each rated at 450kW and electrically powered from the vessel’s gensets. Hull fairing plates are fitted to reduce resistance when the thrusters are retracted and not in use. The Rolls-Royce propulsion control system links the jets and bow thrusters to give excellent manoeuvring precision.

MJ Information No: 21206