Ferries News

ProZero delivered a 15m ProZero passenger vessel to Metro-Opus, a provider of high-speed ferry services in Norway, approved for operations by the Norwegian Maritime Authority.The vessel was handed over to Metro-Opus Project Manager Rasmus Husby Larsen by Jakob Frost, co-owner of the shipyard. Designed and built with ProZero's modular construction approach, the vessel combines latest technology, universal design principles, and optimized hull design. It is certified to accommodate 12 passengers…

Austal Philippines delivered a 32m catamaran to Rottnest Fast Ferries, less than 12 months after commencing construction in Balamban, Cebu.Dubbed Ocean Master and designed by Incat Crowther, was officially accepted by representatives from Rottnest Fast Ferries following the successful completion of sea trials in November 2024.President of Austal Asia, Wayne Murray said “The Austal Philippines team have delivered this impressive new catamaran in less than 12 months - exceeding expectations for productivity…

DFDS was selected as the preferred bidder to take on the 15-year contract to provide ferry life-line freight service and passenger services to Jersey of the Channel Islands from March 28, 2025. “We are thrilled to have been selected as preferred bidder tender for the ferry service to Jersey. This opportunity allows us to bring our commitment to safety, reliability, and exceptional customer service to both residents and visitors of Jersey. We understand that a reliable ferry service is vital for Jersey, for the economy, and for providing essential supplies and access to medical services, and we look forward to serving the local communities on Jersey for many years to come,” says Filip Hermann, VP BU Channel & Baltics.

Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Limited (HKKF) took delivery of two new hybrid ferries, designed by Incat Crowther and built by Hong Kong-based Cheoy Lee Shipyards. The 40-m ferries can transport up to 450 passengers and will service the busy commuter routes between Hong Kong and the islands of Lamma Island, Peng Chau, and Hei Ling Chau. Uniquely, one of the new ferries sports a carbon hull, while all others in the series of a nine vessel order will be aluminum hulls.Each vessel will…

Thordon Bearings has completed the delivery and installation of propeller shaft and rudder bearings to a series of environmentally advanced high-speed ferries under construction for Italian operator Liberty Lines.San Sebastian-based Echetalde, Thordon’s authorized distributor in Spain, delivered 18 seawater-lubricated COMPAC propeller shaft bearings and nine grease-free SXL rudder bearings to Spain’s Astilleros Armon for installation to nine hybrid ferries scheduled for delivery…

DFDS launched a new direct ferry service between Damietta, Egypt and Trieste, Italy, integrating Egypt into its service network for the first time and launching the first freight ferry service between these markets in around a decade.“The new route aligns perfectly with our commitment to organic growth and solidifies our strong presence in the Mediterranean region," said Mathieu Girardin, Head of Ferry Division, DFDS. "The service not only expands our network but also enhances…

Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania laid the keel for the first two of four fully electric ferries for BC Ferries.The keel laying ceremony marked an important milestone in the third phase of construction of the Island Class Ferries, which will bring the total number of Damen vessels in the BC Ferries fleet to ten.During the recent second phase of the program, Damen delivered four hybrid diesel-electric ferries.These reduced emissions vessels were intended to pave the way to the development of fully electric vessels.Now…

Hornblower Group has announced that Liz Crisafi will join the company as the Senior Vice President of Marketing, effective November 1.Reporting to CEO Mike Flaskey, Crisafi will lead global marketing activities, overseeing brand, communications, revenue optimization, digital and data strategy across Hornblower’s portfolio of water- and land-based experiences.Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group’s portfolio of international offerings includes water-based experiences (dining and sightseeing cruises)…

The San Francisco Bay Ferry announced on Thursday that it has received a $12.5 million grant from the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) to establish a zero-emission, battery-electric ferry service at the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal in Alameda.This funding will significantly enhance SF Bay Ferry’s Rapid Electric Emission-Free Ferry (REEF) Program, aimed at transitioning the agency’s fleet to zero-emission propulsion. The grant, part of CalSTA’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP)…

Staten Island Ferry and NYC Ferry will begin testing renewable diesel fuel as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional diesel. This initiative is expected to slash carbon emissions by 60% or more, providing nearly 30 million annual riders with a cleaner way to traverse the city's waterways.The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) is currently testing renewable diesel on the Marchi Staten Island Ferry, which will replace the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel now used in the fleet.

Faced with an aging fleet, the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority has turned to converted offshore support vessels (OSV) to breathe new life into its ferry operations.The operator announced its purchase of the OSVs HOS Shooting Star and HOS Lode Star from Hornbeck Offshore Services in 2022, to replace its open-deck freight vessels Gay Head and Katama, and several months later, the operator exercised an option to acquire a third OSV, HOS North Star…

Estonian State Fleet announced a call for tender for the design and construction of a new, battery-powered electric ferry to serve the main islands in Estonia. "I’m proud to see Estonia leading the way in adopting environmentally sustainable technologies in the maritime sector to achieve this," said Estonian Minister of Infrastructure, Vladimir Svet. "The new ferry will be similar in size and capacity to the existing vessels but will be significantly more economical and environmentally sustainable."The new ferry will primarily be powered by green electricity…

A series of four zero-emission and autonomous ferries, to be built by Turkish Tersan shipyard for Norwegian ferry operator Fjord1, will be propelled by Schottel’s EcoPellers.The double-ended vessels will be the first of their kind in the world, with Norwegian HAV Design tasked to deliver the ship design and an engineering package.Two electrically driven Schottel EcoPellers type SRE 340 will be installed in each of the 120 meter long and 18.60-meter-wide vessels.The L-Drive variant or “embedded L-Drive” significantly reduces the installation height of the thrusters…

Irish TV broadcaster RTÉ Investigates has aired undercover footage of Irish bull calves being repeatedly struck in the face, force-fed, jabbed with tools and dragged by the ears and tail. The report follows a report by RTÉ Investigates aired last year on the treatment of Irish bull calves during the live export process.RTÉ has continued to investigate the treatment of Irish calves in the wake of Europe-wide interest in its first report published and broadcast in July 2023, RTÉ Investigates: Milking It, Dairy’s Dirty Secret.

Panama City, Fla. based shipbuilder Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) on Friday announced it has officially cut first steel for the new Fisher Island Ferry, Falcon, at its Allanton Facility.The Elliott Bay Design Group-designed auto and passenger ferry will be constructed at ESG’s Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities and is expected for delivery in Spring 2026. The 152-foot (loa) vessel will have capacity for up to 30 cars and 150 passengers.In attendance for the steel cutting were members of the Fisher Island Community Association, Inc.

Three shipyards have expressed interest in building a long-awaited series of new hybrid-electric car and passenger vessels for Washington State Ferries (WSF).Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland, Wash.; Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Fla. and Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia have sent pre-qualification packages after WSF earlier this year invited shipbuilders to bid, Washington State Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Steve Nevey, the head of WSF…

Hornblower Group announced it has named Michelle Mason as its new chief people officer, responsible for the global human resources strategy to support Hornblower’s 5,000-plus employees worldwide.Joining Hornblower Group’s executive team and reporting to CEO Mike Flaskey, Mason brings more than 25 years of experience in HR and strategic consulting services for international corporations. She joins Hornblower from Kinetic Consulting and following a decades-long career with Procter & Gamble.

Singapore’s Majestic Fast Ferry expands its fleet courtesy the delivery of a pair of new, Incat Crowther-designed 42-m ferries. There are additional sisterships under construction at Indonesia's PT Cahaya Samudra.The 343-passenger ferries operate at a maximum speed of 39 knots and a cruising speed of 36 knots. The main deck has seating for 295, with five bathrooms – including one handicap accessible bathroom and luggage storage space. The vessels’ upper deck can accommodate 48 passengers and includes a large bathroom…

Kitsap Transit has been awarded $1.2 million to design an all-electric, zero-emission fast ferry demonstration vessel and its accompanying shoreside charging infrastructure, the Washington State Department of Commerce announced. This funding complements a previous $4 million grant from the state legislature aimed at developing a scaled-down version of the 150-passenger Foil Ferry, engineered by Glosten and Bieker Boats, which is intended to validate the technology's viability for future operations on Puget Sound.The $4 million grant will become available on January 1…

Canadian ferry operator BC Ferries announced it is moving forward with a program to build a series of new vessels for its busiest routes.The company said on Monday it has put out a request for proposals (RFP) to pre-qualified shipyards for the construction of the first five of seven new vessels in its New Major Vessels (NMV) project, with contracts expected to be awarded in Spring 2025, subject to approval from the Ferry Commissioner. The first ship is intended to start service in 2029…

San Francisco Bay Ferry has been awarded a $11 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to support the agency’s plans to procure the nation’s first high-speed battery electric ferries.The award—announced by the FTA on Monday as one of 18 new ferry grants totaling nearly $300 million—advances Phase 1 of SF Bay Ferry’s Rapid Electric Emission-Free Ferry (REEF) Program, a suite of projects to transition the agency’s fleet to zero-emission propulsion technology.

Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority general manager Robert B. Davis announced he will step down from his role at the helm of the agency in approximately one year and transition into an advisory capacity.Davis, who was appointed general manager in 2016 and began in the role in 2017, made the announcement at the Board’s monthly meeting, which was held on Nantucket.The Authority said it has commenced its search for a successor.Davis will continue to serve as an advisor to the Authority following the fulfillment of his one-year notice period.

Damen has signed a contract with the City of Toronto in Canada for the delivery of two fully electric ferries.The electric vessels will operate between the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal in downtown Toronto and the Toronto Islands, a major tourist destination, located in a high traffic area close to the shores of Lake Ontario.Damen is building the Toronto ferries at its Galati yard in Romania, to a design produced by Quebec-based Concept Naval. The naval architect company has developed…