Ferry News

DFDS is strengthening its presence in the Strait of Gibraltar by adding a combined freight and passenger ferry on the Algeciras-Tanger Med route, increasing capacity and flexibility for customers traveling and transporting goods between Europe and North Africa.Following regulatory approval by the Spanish and Moroccan competition authorities, DFDS has finalized an agreement with Naviera Armas to acquire the combined freight and passenger ferry, Volcán de Tamasite. The acquisition…

Interferry has unveiled a line-up of senior leaders for the three Ferry Leaders Panels at its upcoming 50th Anniversary Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. Scheduled from October 31 to November 4, 2026, the event will bring together top executives from across the globe to address urgent operational, human, and strategic challenges facing ferry shipping.During the regular conference sessions, Interferry Chairman Götz Becker of FRS and Matteo Catani of GNV, Chairman of Interferry´s Operator Policy Committee…

The official death toll from a passenger ship that capsized and sank in Indonesia's Java Sea rose to 26 on Wednesday, up from the previous 20, with rescuers expecting to find more bodies as the ongoing underwater search widens, officials said.The Virgo Transport 8 ferry was carrying 243 people, including 30 crew members, as well as an unknown number of vehicles, when it capsized in bad weather early on September 13 during a voyage from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan.Coast guard and Navy personnel recovered 14 bodies from inside the ship over the past three days…

Everllence has signed Long-Term Service Agreements (LTSAs) with German ferry operator, TT-Line, at the 2026 SMM maritime trade fair in Hamburg. The agreements cover two newbuilding RoPax vessels currently under construction at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) plus two other vessels from TT-Lines’ existing fleet: the Nils Holgersson and the Peter Pan – both also constructed by China Merchants.The Nils Holgersson and Peter Pan are each equipped with 2 × 6L51/60 DF + 2 × 8L51/60 DF engines with Everllence propulsion systems.

Construction is underway on a 39-meter passenger ferry Incat Crowther has designed for Singapore's Majestic Fast Ferry. The new ferry builds on the successful first and second-generation 39-meter ferry platforms Incat Crowther has designed for the same operator.The third-generation 39-meter ferry incorporates a number of refinements developed in consultation with Majestic Fast Ferry and Indonesian shipyard PT Cahaya Samudra. Optimized performance and weight reduction were key design drivers, achieved through a new raked bow form and greater use of lightweight materials throughout.

ABB has been selected as the power, propulsion and automation technology partner for two new Ro-Pax ferries, to be named Kupe and Cook, which form part of Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme. ABB will supply the integrated systems required to ensure the reliability, efficiency and environmental performance of the two ferries. To be built by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) shipyard, the ferries will be delivered to New Zealand Government entity Ferry Holdings Limited in 2029.The 200-meter long…

Construction is underway on a next-generation 39-meter passenger ferry Incat Crowther has designed for Singapore’s Majestic Fast Ferry.The new ferry builds on the successful first and second-generation 39-meter ferry platforms Incat Crowther has designed for the same operator.The ferry incorporates a number of refinements developed in consultation with Majestic Fast Ferry and Indonesian shipyard PT Cahaya Samudra. Optimised performance and weight reduction were key design drivers, achieved through a new raked bow form and greater use of lightweight materials throughout.

A specialist team from Turkey equipped to search deep waters started work on Tuesday to pinpoint the wreckage of a ferry thatcapsized off northern Cyprus on Sunday, with 20 people still missing.At least eight people died when the twin-hulled vessel started taking in water and overturned shortly after leaving the port of Kyrenia with 267 passengers and crew on board.The Turkish navy rescue vessel has a remotely operated vehicle able to search the deep water where the ferry sank…

At least eight people died and 18 were missing after a ferry carrying around 270 passengers and crew capsized off North Cyprus on Sunday, leaving survivors clinging to its overturned hull.The privately owned ferry left the port of Kyrenia at 12:30 p.m. local time (0930 GMT) and immediately started taking on water for an unknown reason, authorities said. It was heading for the Turkish port of Tasucu in the eastern Mediterranean.Survivors reported the ferry moving erratically, with its last hard impact with the water's surface breaking the bow of the two-hulled vessel, allowing water to seep in.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a $665 million investment to modernize ferry infrastructure for the communities who rely on these transit systems to work and move goods.From inland waterway dock expansions to brand-new passenger ferries, the Department selected 23 projects in 14 states and the United States Virgin Islands, including: $153,406,928 to the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities to replace a 50-year-old passenger vessel that connects smaller communities in Southeast Alaska.$7…

AURELIA has welcomed Silas Cooper, Honorary Consul of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, to its Amsterdam office for a working visit dedicated to the future of inter-island connectivity in The Bahamas.The meeting, also joined by Bastiaan Visser of Sustainable Capital Group, focused on AURELIA’s zero-emission ferry and cruise concept — a vessel designed to connect the islands of The Bahamas through clean, silent, and future-proof maritime transport.As part of the AURELIA Clean Sailing fleet…

Marine Group Boat Works (MGBW), a boatbuilding and repair company operating a shipyard in Chula Vista, California, has been selected to begin construction of a new low-emissions passenger ferry for Catalina Express. The vessel is expected to be launched and begin sea trials in the third quarter of 2027.Catalina Express is part of the LA MER (Los Angeles Marine Emission Reduction) project, a collaborative initiative between CARB and the Port of Los Angeles. Backed by a $31 million CARB grant, the project aims to accelerate the adoption of lower emission harbor craft across California.

With the delivery of the final two vessels in the fleet, Norman Selfe and Jack Mundey, Transport for New South Wales' Parramatta River Class ferry project is complete and returning results in service in Sydney's ferry network.Designed by Incat Crowther and built by Richardson Devine Marine in Tasmania, the vessels are capable of transporting 200-passengers and will predominantly run on the busy commuter and tourist route between Parramatta in Sydney's west and Circular Quay in…

Construction on a new 48m catamaran passenger ferry designed by Incat Crowther for Hy-Line Cruises is now underwayat Midship Marine in Louisiana. The vessel, when completed, will operate on Hy-Line Cruise’s critical tourism and commercial routes connecting Hyannis, Mass., with the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.Capable of transporting up to 493 passengers across three passenger decks, the vessel is capable of reaching speeds in excess of 30 knots and has been designed…

BRIX Marine has delivered It's About Time, a custom-built 4818-HTC Offshore passenger catamaran from the company's PaxCat lineup, built for FunToSee Island Ferry of Castries, St. Lucia. This marks the second vessel BRIX Marine has built for FunToSee Island, continuing a growing partnership between the two companies.FunToSee Island operates St. Lucia's premier airport water ferry service, connecting travelers arriving at Hewanorra Airport with resorts and accommodations across the island.Stretching 55 feet…

Echandia will supply the battery system Echandia Core for a new 78-meter hybrid catamaran being built by Incat Tasmania, Australia. The order marks Echandia’s first delivery to Incat, one of the world’s leading builders of high-speed aluminum ferries.The vessel has been designed and built to ensure maximum deployment flexibility whilst significantly reducing OPEX, allowing operators to transition away from fossil fuels in the most practical and cost-effective way. It can carry up to 650 persons and 120 cars at a maximum speed of 28 knots.

Stena Line has signed an agreement with the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) that secures the continued operation of rail ferry services between Sweden and Germany. The agreement, the first of its kind, ensures that traffic on the Trelleborg–Rostock route can continue until 31 December 2031.The agreement was signed during a press conference at the Port of Trelleborg by Elisabeth Lönne, Chief Commercial Officer at Stena Line, and Roberto Maiorana, Director-General…

A new hybrid, 350-passenger vessel is now in operation at the Port of Los Angeles, the result of a Port-led partnership with Harbor Breeze Cruises, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the Port of Long Beach.The Harbor Breeze Cruises’ El Escudo harbor craft features some of the newest emission-reduction technologies on the market. The El Escudo will be berthed at the Port of Los Angeles and serve the San Pedro Bay ports.The vessel features a parallel hybrid propulsion system, enabling operation in fully electric (zero-emission), diesel, or hybrid modes. It exceeds U.S.

A new hybrid, 350-passenger vessel is now in operation at the Port of Los Angeles, the result of a Port-led partnership with Harbor Breeze Cruises, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the Port of Long Beach.The Harbor Breeze Cruises’ El Escudo harbor craft features some of the newest emission-reduction technologies on the market. The El Escudo will be berthed at the Port of Los Angeles and serve the San Pedro Bay ports.The vessel features a parallel hybrid propulsion system, enabling operation in fully electric (zero-emission), diesel, or hybrid modes. It exceeds U.S.

The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released its report into the grounding of the passenger and freight ferry, Aratere, in Titoki Bay, Picton, on June 21, 2024.The KiwiRail’s Interislander ferry grounded after an unintended turn towards the shoreline while on autopilot. Shortly after departure from Picton, the ship’s pilot engaged the autopilot and pressed the ‘execute’ button expecting the steering system to make a programmed three-degree right turn.

Spirit of 1733, a new EPA tier 4 compliant 104-foot (32-meter) passenger ferry designed by global digital shipbuilder Incat Crowther for the U.S Virgin Island’s Department of Public Works has entered service. The new vessel is operating on a busy tourist and commuter route between Red Hook on the island of St. Thomas and Cruz Bay on the island of St. John in the U.S Virgin Islands.Named after a historic slave rebellion on the island of St. John in 1733, the USCG Subchapter-K approved…

A new study from Kongsberg Maritime has identified a range of European passenger and freight routes with strong potential for the introduction of fully electric RoPax vessels, particularly across busy short‑sea corridors in Northern Europe.Highlighting the opportunity for decarbonization in short‑sea shipping, the analysis assessed ferry routes across the continent, identifying several promising candidates, including Dover–Calais, Tallinn–Helsinki, and key services linking Scandinavia…

New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has issued its report on the blackout and loss of propulsion on Interislander ferry Kaitaki. A degraded rubber expansion joint in the engine cooling system failed and triggered an automatic shutdown. The part had exceeded its service life. TAIC found six safety issues, including: lifetime management of safety-critical components; engineering decision support; evacuation standards for older ships; emergency response coordination; Maritime NZ’s Maritime Incident Response Team, and salvage and towage capability.