Vehicle Ferries News

The Abu Dhabi Ports Group has commissioned Penguin Shipyard International and Incat Crowther to design and deliver two new 56-metre ro-pax catamaran passenger and vehicle ferries.The new vessels will be built by Penguin International in Indonesia and can transport up to 194 passengers and 25 vehicles.Replacing two older vessels in the Abu Dhabi Ports Group fleet, the new vessels will service Delma Island from Jebel Dhanna on the UAE mainland – a 42-kilometer route. Powered by four MTU engines and Kamewa 71 S-4 waterjets…

With travel and tourism nearing pre-2020 levels, and transit systems benefiting from a return to work, passenger vessels have seen renewed activity. In its year-end review, John Groundwater, Executive Director of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA), which advocates for the sector in Washington, D.C. wrote: “As we are nearing the end of the calendar year, we are delighted to report that our industry, and our members, are reporting far and wide that they have experienced very…

Lockport, La.-based Bollinger Shipyards has acquired Gulf Island Fabrication’s shipyard facilities in nearby Houma for approximately $28.6 million.The purchased site encompasses 437 acres on the west bank of the Houma Navigation Canal, of which 283 acres is unimproved land that is available for expansion. The facility includes 18,000 square feet of administrative and operations facilities, 160,000 square feet of covered fabrication facilities and 20,000 square feet of warehouse facilities. It also has 6,750 linear feet of water frontage, including 2,350 feet of steel bulkheads.

Nairana, a new all-aluminium ferry, is equipped with Schottel propulsion solutions.“The brief was to provide two unique, new vessels that are highly maneuverable to facilitate rapid turnaround times, have multiple engines for redundancy, and are economical," said Roger Janes, Sales and Marketing Manager of Australian shipbuilder Richardson Devine Marine. "Overall, they needed to be uncomplicated and reliable.The Incat Crowther-designed Nairana is constructed entirely from aluminium.

Diverse and conveniently located, St. Johns Ship Building has quickly developed into a reliable partner for its many repeat customers. Today, and as a direct result, a lot more people know exactly where Palatka, Florida is located.On the St Johns River, just 60 miles south of Jacksonville, lies the sleepy town of Palatka, Florida. Founded as a trading post in 1821, its location on the highly navigable river made the area attractive to orange growers and timber men alike.In its heyday between 1875 and 1900…

Named one of this year's MarineNews' prestigious MN100 firms, Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) in 2019 expanded to the East Coast by opening an office in New York and teamed with AMD Marine Consulting Designs to be their exclusive North American vessel design representative. EBDG delivers designs that are better to build and better to operate.The Company:EBDG is a full-service, employee-owned company with offices in Seattle, New Orleans, Ketchikan and New York. The firm provides naval architecture…

SCHOTTEL said it has secured a contract to provide propulsion units for two new vehicle ferries ordered by North Carolina’s Department of Transportation, which operates the second largest state-run ferry system in the United States. The US-flag vessels designed by Elliott Bay Design Group are under construction at Gulf Island Shipyards in Houma, La., and will be equipped with a total of nine SCHOTTEL Twin Propellers type STP 150 L. The ferries are scheduled for delivery in 2020.Each…

Miller Boat Line has ordered a new drive-on, drive-off passenger/vehicle ferry for delivery from Superior, Wis. builder Fraser Shipyards in fall 2019. The new ferry will be delivered from Lake Superior to Lake Erie and her new home port of Put-in-Bay, Ohio.The 140-foot-long, 38.5-foot-wide newbuild will be able to accommodate 26 standard sized vehicles or 600 passengers and will join Miller’s present fleet of four passenger/vehicle ferries, which operate between the peninsula of Catawba to Put-in-Bay (South Bass Island) and to Middle Bass Island…

As Volvo Penta continues its strategic penetration of the commercial maritime sector, Maritime Reporter & Engineering News checks in with Ron Huibers, President, Volvo Penta of the Americas. When we first met with you a few years ago, Volvo Penta was in the early stages of a strategic move into the commercial maritime sector in North America. Please update your progress. Historically, we have been strong in the marine commercial markets outside of North America. Five years ago…

Kentec fire safety control panels have been chosen for the refurbishment of fire systems on the Red Funnel Ferry Group’s vehicle ferries that operate out of Southampton to the Isle of Wight. The refitting of the MV Red Osprey, following that of MV Red Falcon back in 2015, now leaves just the MV Red Eagle to be completed as part of Red Funnel Group’s multi-million pound refurbishment of its three vehicle ferries. This major project has seen the interior design and facilities of each ship replaced with a bright…

Shoaling shifts NCDOT’s propulsion needs, prompting a sea change. Thrustmaster waterjets step in to carry the day. In Swansboro, N.C., boatbuilder U.S. Workboats (formerly Armstrong Marine) is assembling the linchpin of the North Carolina Department of Transport’s (NCDOT) business plan for its future Outer Banks ferry services. Separately, in both Hatteras and Ocracoke, crews are preparing to break ground on new parking additions and visitor facilities. The Ocracoke Express passenger ferry project – made necessary by the shifting and unpredictable shoaling on North Carolina’s Outer Banks – will, starting this summer, change forever the way tourists and visitors get to and from these national treasures.

Liverpool marine fabrication firm Wren Industrial has manufactured and installed a collection of new water-tight and fire-rated doors for leading UK ferry operator Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. The welding and fabrication specialist has a long-standing relationship with the famous ferry firm, which is renowned as the oldest continuously operating passenger shipping company in the world - founded in 1830. The latest contract involved ‘through-night’ door maintenance onboard freight, passenger and vehicle ferries the Manannan and Ben-my-Chree.

Trade association Interferry stages its 42nd annual conference in Split, Croatia, next month with an agenda highlighting the income and savings potential in three key areas – the customer experience, ship technologies and safety issues including cyber security. The event runs from October 7-11 and is on course for record attendance with some 300 delegates already registered among member and non-member operators and suppliers. “I think the high level of interest is a response to the pace of change in our industry,” suggests Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan.

The hallmarks of a successful vessel operator are the same whether they are carrying liquid, physical or human cargo: A laser focus on safety, a twin commitment to customers and crew, and the vision to embrace and invest in the future. However obvious the bar, it is not easy to meet. “I don’t think there is any magic formula,” says Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager, petroleum services, Crowley Marine Solutions. “The difference is that everything we work on regards providing a high quality of service to customers, pays off. In a rising market, it’s easy to do well.

Great Lakes Shipyard has been awarded a drydocking contract for Miller Boat Line’s M/V Put-In-Bay. The ferry was hauled out using the 770-ton capacity Marine Travelift at Great Lakes Shipyard. The repair contract includes drydocking, inspection and repairs, hull cleaning and miscellaneous fabrication and steel repairs. This is the first drydocking for M/V Put-In-Bay at Great Lakes Shipyard since Spring 2010, when Great Lakes Shipyard completed reconstruction work including fabrication and installation of a 40-foot mid-body extension and main engine repowering.

Birkenhead shipyard and engineering services company Cammell Laird said it has developed an advanced shipyard environmental package for ferries, following its strongest year of trading in the sector. Cammell Laird said it has docked 24 ferries between 2013 and the beginning of 2014 and, in addition, has carried out a further 24 afloat repairs for ferry operators. During 2013 Cammell Laird repaired, built and converted almost 250,000 gross tons of ferry and Ro-Ro ships for a wide range of owners. Already in 2014 it has docked and repaired ferries of 150,000 gross tons.

Vigor Industrial has emerged as a leading consolidator of shipbuilding prowess on the U.S. West Coast, and the company continues to invest in new capability and infrastructure. “Over the past year there has been a marked increase in vessel fabrication opportunities of all kinds, including for ferries, tugs, barges, and fishing vessels,” said Vince Piscitello, VP of Sales, Marketing and Business Development. Earlier this year Vigor signed an agreement to build the largest floating drydock in the United States, and construction is currently underway.

18 Tall Ships from around the world to navigate into the Western Basin of Lake Erie for 'The Battle of Lake Erie Bicentennial,' Aug. 29, 2013. From Norway to Duluth, Minnesota, the tall ships of the past now call ports from all over the world home. With large crews, constant upkeep and a host of other responsibilities, unveiling these pristine wooden vessels is a massive undertaking. Floating on the horizon with what looks like a scene out of the film Master and Commander, these historical work horses only make special, precisely timed appearances.

After a quarter of a century, EBDG leads the U.S. ferry market and begins a new journey as a unique employee-owned company. Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) celebrates its 25th anniversary and a successful first year following a management buyout by nearly half its employees. Since EBDG opened its doors it has designed tugs, research vessels, offshore supply vessels, and more vehicle ferries than any other U.S. firm. Brian King, Vice President of Engineering, was one of the first employees hired after the company was founded in 1988.

John (Jack) William Gilbert, PE, U.S. Navy Lieutenant, USNR, a world-renowned Naval Architect and Marine Engineer and President of John W. Gilbert Associates, Inc., Hingham, Massachusetts, died at the age of 80 years on July 26, 2010. Gilbert was born in Silver Creek, N.Y., on November 1, 1929, and was a resident of North Scituate, Mass., for more than 48 years. He graduated with a B.S.Nam. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1955. Gilbert founded John W. Gilbert Associates…

The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce has recently confirmed that Austal topped the list of local manufacturers for having the most employees. Austal’s U.S. facility now has 1,257 full-time employees, up from just under 900 in the beginning of the year. Austal’s recruiting staff was challenged in the beginning of the year with hiring 100 qualified applicants a month and are predicted to continue to do so through May and June. Since January, Austal has added 370 new employees to our staff. The majority of the new-hires are from the Mobile/Baldwin County communities, ranging in age from 18 to 64 years, including 35 veterans. They do this through various venues…

Great Lakes Shipyard, a division of The Great Lakes Group, has completed all work required under contract with Miller Boat Line, Put-in-Bay, Ohio, to fabricate and install a new 40-ft mid-body extension in the passenger/vehicle ferry Put-in-Bay. The contract was awarded on August 17, 2009, and all work was completed at Great Lakes Shipyard facilities on the South Bank of the Old River Channel, on Cleveland's Cuyahoga River. What started out as a straight forward mid-body extension project grew into a complete rebuild, including replacement of the main engines with new CAT C18 diesels.

Austal confirmed an unconditional contract has been signed with Oman’s National Ferries Company (NFC) for the maintenance of seven large high-speed craft. The contract requires Austal to deliver vessel maintenance services for NFC’s five high speed ferries and two Oman Coast Guard rescue boats, co-managed by NFC, for a period of up to five years. Work will be performed by Austal at various regional ports within the Sultanate of Oman, including the capital city, Muscat. Austal’s service presence in the Middle East now includes hubs for the Red Sea (Egypt) and the Arabian Gulf (Oman)…