Ferries News

Finnish shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions celebrated the launch of the Spirit of Tasmania V, a the second of two new car and passenger ferries for the Tasmanian TT-Line Company.The vessel’s godmother is Her Excellency the Horourable Barbara Baker, Governor of Tasmania.The vessels will operate between Geelong and Devonport on Australia’s Bass Strait, a route known for its challenging sea conditions. The ferries will replace their sister ships built in Finland in the 1990s.

Washington State Ferries (WSF) has tapped ABB to design and supply the propulsion systems for its new series of five hybrid electric ferries. ABB was previously selected for the project in 2020 after the original build contract was awarded to Vigor, but the competitive bid process was relaunched following disagreements between WSF and the shipyard over price and other contract terms.In May of this year, WSF invited shipyards across the country to bid on construction for the five new ferries.

Dutch shipbuilder Damen has cut the first steel for four fully electric ferries, being constructed for Canada-based BC Ferries at its Romanian shipyard.On July 16, the yard cut first steel on the first two of four, fully electric Island Class Ferries, which will be the first fully electric vessels to operate in the BC Ferries’ fleet.Operating with battery packs with the capacity to supply the power train with 2,000 kilowatt-hour of electricity, the vessels will carry up to 47 vehicles and 390 passengers.Damen will also supply BC Ferries with the required charging towers.

The Scottish government is set to tender for a series of seven new electric ferries for the Clyde and Hebrides network.The first stage of the competitive tender process will assess if shipyards interested in bidding for the contract meet the financial and technical criteria to take on the project, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), the government-owned entity that owns ferries, ports, harbors and infrastructure for ferry services on the west coast of Scotland and the Clyde Estuary…

The first-of-its-kind hydrogen-fueled ferry Sea Change will soon begin public service, providing zero-emissions transport for passengers in San Francisco Bay.The groundbreaking commercial passenger vessel is the world’s first powered 100% by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells. It was developed by owner SWITCH Maritime with grant support from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as a solution to reduce emissions from the marine transportation system.A group of private and public sector partners came together to officially launch the Sea Change on July 12…

Kitsap Transit has tapped SaaS company ioCurrents to help drive efficiency gains across its ferry fleet in Washington state.ioCurrents' proprietary software, MarineInsight, employs machine learning models to provide real-time, analyzed, actionable data to shoreside operations. By utilizing an IoT device (nonstandard computing hardware) on board, MarineInsight effectively sends the compressed, analyzed data to a secure cloud, granting the Kitsap Transit shoreside team access to customized reports to make real-time decisions.Raymond Scott…

Angel Island Tiburon Ferry (AITF), in California, has tapped New-Zealand-based EV Maritime to design a plug-in hybrid electric vessel for its fleet in the San Francisco Bay Area. The project, which will also see the electrification of two existing AITF vessels, has been funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The hybrid ferry will be designed and engineered by EV Maritime with electrical integration provided by ZeroMar, a local company in the Bay Area.“This new vessel will be plug-in hybrid…

South Korea’s KT Marine has welcomed its new vessel, a Fast Ferry 4212 named Hamel, delivered by Dutch shipbuilder Damen.KT Marine placed its order for the vessel earlier this year. Hamel will transport up to 423 passengers at speeds of up to 40 knots.The vessel will operate a route between Yeosu Harbour and Geomundo Island. Hamel is the seventh Damen Fast Ferry, and the fifth Fast Ferry 4212, to be delivered to South Korea in recent years.The Fast Ferry 4212 features catamaran design, built at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam.

Canadian shipbuilder AF Theriault & Son Ltd. announced it is teaming up with New-Zealand-based electric ferry design and technology company EV Maritime in hopes of securing a contract to build a series of electric ferries serving the community of Bedford, Nova Scotia.This partnership has been formed in relation to Halifax Regional Municipality’s (HRM) upcoming procurement for five new ferries for scheduled delivery in the 2027-2028 fiscal year. The entire project is estimated at CAD$258.7 million and will include ferries…

Eric Grégoire has taken up the position of CEO at Scandlines effective from July 8.The executive management team now consists of CEO Eric Grégoire, COO Michael Guldmann Jensen and CFO Mikael Koch.Grégoire comes from a position as CEO of Goodpack in Singapore. He is an experienced business leader with a solid track record in business process improvements from several international companies such as General Electric and DuPont.“It is a pleasure to welcome Eric Grégoire to Scandlines.

The Government of Bermuda’s Marine and Port Services has taken delivery of the 700-passenger ferry Bermudian after a major refit at Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding. Engineering and project management were jointly handled by the Somerset, Mass. shipyard and Propulsion Data Services, and class oversight by Lloyd’s Register.Among the myriad items to be removed, repaired or replaced, the hull received repairs as required by class and repainted, with a goal of extending the life of the 37-year-old vessel an additional 15 years…

Hornblower Group has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy under new ownership following the completion of its court-approved financial restructuring plan, the marine transportation and experiences company announced on Friday.Under the plan approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, majority ownership of San Francisco-based Hornblower has transitioned to funds managed by investment firm Strategic Value Partners (SVP), while private equity firm Crestview…

U.S.-based family-owned private equity firm the Hoffmann Family of Companies (HF Companies) announced it has acquired Mackinac Island Ferry Company in Michigan.Jenny Gezella, President of Hoffmann Marine, said, “We are thrilled to acquire the Mackinac Island Ferry Company, further expanding our presence in the Mackinac community and marine industry. Our commitment to providing first-class, efficient transportation remains steadfast, and we look forward to continuing to serve both residents and visitors to this special island.”“To ensure a seamless transition…

Interferry Director of Regulatory Affairs Johan Roos has announced that the organization has drafted an alternative compliance mechanism to the CII that will be submitted to MEPC 82, to be held September 30 - October 4.CII is a shipping industry-specific operational efficiency requirement that dictates how much fuel is allowed to be burned per nautical mile in relation to ship type and ship size. “It follows the same illogical statistical approach as IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships and the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI)…

Stena RoRo announced it has ordered another two E-Flexer RoPax vessels from the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling (Weihai), for delivery in 2027.This is Stena RoRo's fourteenth and fifteenth vessel in the E-Flexer series.The two vessels will enter service under long-term charter to Greek shipping company Attica Group for operations in the Adriatic Sea. Attica Group has an option to purchase the newbuilds and also a potential option for two more vessels.The E-Flexer series is based on a concept with larger vessels than today's standard RoPax ferries and is very flexible.

Bayou la Batre, Ala. shipbuilder Steiner Shipyard reports it has delivered a new ferry for the Maine Department of Transportation.The 104-foot passenger/vehicle ferry, named Charles Norman Shay, arrived to the ferry dock in Rockland, Maine on June 7.The newbuild was designed by Gilbert Associates with capacity to carry 149 passengers and seven cars. It will operate on the Maine State Ferry Service’s (MSFS) longest route, between Rockland and Matinicus Island (23 miles), serving as an upgrade to the ferry service that transports nearly 500…

Ukrainian ferry company Ukrferry will resume services between the Black Sea port of Chornomorsk and Batumi in Georgia, according to the company's timetable.The ferry service was halted after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Its resumption will allow Kyiv to gain direct access to its markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.The first voyage is scheduled to depart Chornomorsk on July 9 and arrive in Georgia on July 12."Regular services accept passengers...

Golden Gate Ferry will build a fleet of eight new hybrid vessels to improve operational efficiency and reduce emissions from its San Francisco Bay Area commuter ferry service.Electrical contracting company McKay on Monday announced it has been appointed by naval architecture firm Aurora Marine Design to serve as the electrical systems integrator for the Liwa Class newbuild program, which will commence in early 2025 to retire and replace Golden Gate Ferry’s existing fleet of with a series of eight new 50.5-meter-long…

Hornblower Group on Friday announced its financial restructuring plan has gained court approval, clearing way for the marine transportation and experiences company to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the coming weeks.Under the plan approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, majority ownership of San Francisco-based Hornblower will transition to funds managed by investment firm Strategic Value Partners (SVP), while private equity firm Crestview…

Technology group Wärtsilä has secured a deal to supply engines, fuel gas supply system and thrusters for two new Ropax ferries being built for French operator La Méridionale, a subsidiary of CMA CGM.The vessels, which have been specifically designed to minimize emissions, are to be built at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai), and will operate between Marseille and Corsica.For each ship, Wärtsilä will supply two 12-cylinder, one 10-cylinder and one 8-cylinder Wärtsilä 31DF engines.The two ferries will benefit from Wärtsilä’s NextDF technology…

DNV and Artemis Technologies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the development, certification, and operation of electric foiling vessels. The signing took place at the Posidonia trade fair.Electric vessels have been trialled in many countries, demonstrating significant benefits, including reduced emissions to air, quieter operation, and regulatory compliance. Now, companies are adding an additional element - the use of hydrofoils – which promise even greater levels of efficiency and passenger comfort.

Deliveries will begin in 2028 if all goes well. Delays and escalating costs have bedeviled the procurement process up until now.Washington State Ferries on Thursday published an invitation to bid on building five new hybrid-electric ferries, an overdue achievement that promises to eventually bring more reliability to cross-Sound ferry service.It’s the first time in more than 50 years that the state will accept bids from shipyards nationwide to construct its vessels. Going out to bid on this contract also represents a major step toward electrification of the WSF fleet.

Technology group Wärtsilä has signed two Lifecycle Agreements covering two ferries owned by Japanese operator Shin Nihonkai Ferry (SNF).The agreements are designed to provide optimal operational support in ensuring reliable and efficient performance for the ferries, each powered by four Wärtsilä 31 engines, which serve the Yokosuka and Shinmoji route.The two five-year agreements cover the ‘Hamayu’ and ‘Soleil’ ferries and provide remote 24/7 support in case of need.The scope of…