Ferry Network News

A ceremony in Umeå marked the official completion of Stena Line’s acquisition of Wasaline.“The close and strong cooperation between Sweden and Finland is of central strategic importance to both our countries. Robust and reliable transport links are a fundamental prerequisite for a competitive business sector as well as for strengthened preparedness and security. Ferry traffic between Sweden and Finland is attractive and viable, as underscored by today’s ceremony," said Andreas Carlsson…

Stena Line has decided to close the ferry route between Halmstad in Sweden and Grenaa in Denmark. The vessel Stena Nautica will continue to operate the route until April 30,2026.“The reason for this decision is that we have faced significant challenges in achieving profitability on the route over a long period of time. By concentrating our investments on routes with clear demand, we can support both commercial transport and passenger travel more efficiently, while at the same time strengthening the long-term resilience of our route network.

MV Lochmor, the first of two new vessels for the Little Minch routes, was launched August 23, 2025 at Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard in Yalova, Turkey.MV Hebrides, the new ferry along with sister vessel, MV Claymore, will provide a two-vessel service to the routes between Uig on Skye, Tarbert (Harris) and Lochmaddy (North Uist). MV Lochmor can accommodate up to 450 passengers and 100 cars, or 14 commercial vehicles, bringing a major boost to capacity and resilience for the communities it will serve.Transport Scotland provided £115m of funding for the Little Minch ferries project in 2022…

In the current pathway, global shipping greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are forecast to rise in this decade and eventually return to 2010 levels by ~2050.The chart represents the three scenarios for shipping emissions developed by the International Energy Agency (the IEA) and adds in the IMO Strategy targets for emissions reduction. The IEA’s aspirational case (i.e. what governments and companies aspire to do rather than are actually doing – that is the current pathway) closely mirrors the IMO’s 2023 updated strategic direction.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) said it intends to award a contract for seven new loch-class electric ferries to Poland's Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A in Gdansk, Poland.The Small Vessel Replacement Program (SVRP) will see seven fully electric vessels built in the first phase, with an additional three delivered in phase two of the project, which will be procured through a separate competitive tender process later in 2025."These seven new vessels, when combined with the six major new vessels joining the fleet in 2025 and 2026…

Danish shipping and logistics firm DFDS said on Tuesday it has agreed to buy the international transport network of Turkey's Ekol Logistics for 1.9 billion crowns ($277 million) and lifted its sales growth forecast for the year.The network connects Turkey and Europe and the acquisition will add road transport to its Mediterranean ferry network, DFDS said in a statement, adding that it was in line with its strategy to move goods in trailers by ferry, road and rail."Turkey's role…

ABB has secured a contract with Auckland Transport (AT) to deliver the maritime world’s first megawatt charging system (MCS) to recharge electric ferries using the same interface as trucks and airplanes. Lowering the barrier to entry, the standardized and highly adaptable system is expected to improve electric vessel competitiveness against fossil-fueled counterparts.As part of its Mission Electric initiative, AT has ordered two 200-seat all-electric ferries and two 300-passenger…

Spearheaded by the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), Bay Ferry 2050 is a visionary initiative aimed at transforming the San Francisco Bay Ferry service into an eco-friendly and forward-thinking transportation system. With a focus on fleet electrification, community engagement and the exploration of alternative propulsion technologies, the project sets the stage for a more community-minded, sustainable, operationally strong, fiscally sound and environmentally conscious…

The agency that provides San Francisco Bay Ferry service has won a $13.8 million grant  to electrify ferry terminals and facilities in San Francisco and the East Bay, enabling zero-emission, electric ferry operations on routes connecting Oakland and Alameda to San Francisco.The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) grant for the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) will fund electric infrastructure and increased charging capacity to the Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal…

The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) has been awarded a $14.9 million grant from the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) to develop a high-frequency network of battery-electric ferries.The grant will fund the construction of ferries and shoreside charging infrastructure to support the San Francisco Clean Ferry Network, which will use zero-emission ferries to connect waterfront San Francisco neighborhoods including Downtown, Treasure Island and Mission Bay.This grant…

Aukland ferry operator Fullers360 announced a new electric hybrid fast ferry will join its fleet in 2023.The new electric vessel with hybrid capabilities will have capacity to transport approximately 300 passengers servicing the company’s Devonport route, with capacity to travel to other destinations as needed. Designed by Incat Crowther, the vessel is a modular metro-level with overflow to the upper deck optimized to be up to 100% electric on the Devonport route.Fullers360’s CEO…

Contract negotiators between striking Alaska ferry boat workers and state officials have reached a tentative deal to end a 9-day-old walkout that has shut down the state Maritime Highway System, a federal mediator said on Friday.About 420 members of the Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific (IBU) walked off the job on July 24, idling a ferry network that serves more than 30 coastal and island communities statewide. It was the first strike against the Alaska Maritime Highway System in 42 years.The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service…

The ferry business, unlike more industrial parts of the shipping business, touches wide swaths of the world’s population across continents. The membership of Interferry, the leading trade group for the industry, with non-Governmental organization (NGO) status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) includes 200+ members from all parts of the ferry spectrum. These include passenger ferries (including fast ferries), Ro/Pax and cruise ferries operating globally. In selecting “the best” we looked beyond the league tables of “the most” (passengers) and “the biggest” (fleet size).

Following the Memorandum of Understanding of 8 December 2017, Austal has announced the award of a A$68 million contract to design and build an 83 metre trimaran ferry for JR Kyushu Jet Ferry of Japan. Australia’s Ambassador to Japan, The Hon Richard Court AC and Japan’s Consul-General in Perth, Western Australia, Mr Tatsuo Hirayama joined Austal’s Chairman Mr John Rothwell AO and Chief Executive Officer Mr David Singleton for a signing ceremony at the Australian shipyard with JR Kyushu Jet Ferry’s President, Mr Masayuki Mizuno and General Manager, Planning, Mr Hitoshi Ogawa. “Austal congratulates JR Kyushu Jet Ferry on the selection of our proven trimaran platform to expand their Japan to South Korea route.

The first vessel in the new NYC Ferry’s fleet has been christened Lunch Box, following a naming competition held amongst New York school students. Lunch Box, which has already been followed by a subsequent pair of vessel in New York, is the first vessel in a fleet of 26m catamaran ferries commissioned by Hornblower Cruises to form NYC Ferries, a government initiative to bring an affordable, city-wide ferry network to the Big Apple. Over the coming year, the fleet will grow to some 20 vessels and the network will grow to six routes.

Domestic ferries adjust their business models to met regulatory pressures and exceed environmental standards with an eye towards improved service. And, not a minute too soon. In North America, stalwarts in the ferry business continue to shorten journey times compared to surface alternatives, while at the same time, bring accessibility to barrier and coastal islands that would otherwise be impossible to reach. Established stakeholders continually fine-tune their operations in a…

On June 2-3, 2016,  the Ferry Safety and Technology Conference will be held in downtown Manhattan. Throughout the world, the quickening pace of technological advances is impacting all sectors of the maritime business; ferries are no exception. The conference, now in its second year, will feature practical and affordable technologies already deployed in passenger transportation, or soon to be. Topics to be discussed will include Vessel Design; Landings – with a focus on their resiliency and Maritime Weather – with fresh information on timely fine scale marine weather detection. Information management and Communication applications will be center stage.

Six new ferries to operate on Sydney’s Inner Harbor have been ordered from Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania’s Hobart Shipyard, who was awarded the contract to prepare detailed designs and build the new vessels. The new vessel exterior is a traditional design to look similar to the Sydney First Fleet vessels, however the 35-meter, 400-passenger boats have greater capacity than the current fleet. According to the builder, the interior will be more spacious with comfortable inside seating…

Incat Crowther is pleased to announce the delivery of Te Kotuku, a 34m Catamaran Passenger Ferry for Fullers Group Ltd, the operator of the Auckland ferry network. The vessel, constructed at New Zealand builder Q-West, is the result of a thorough review of the network requirements, in which Incat Crowther worked closely with Fullers to develop an optimized vessel that suits the network requirements and existing infrastructure as well as offering operational flexibility. Te Kotuku is a modern…

Incat Crowther announced the launch of Mary Reibey and Annabelle Rankin, the second and third in a series of 24m catamaran passenger ferries for Captain Cook Cruises. Built by Richardson Devine Marine, the vessels follow on from Elizabeth Cook, launched late last year. Elizabeth Cook currently operates in the Sydney Ferry Network, including the shallow water zones on the Parramatta River and across Sydney Heads to Manly. The team at Captain Cook Cruises and Incat Crowther are pleased to demonstrate a single class of vessel that is successfully operating throughout the Sydney Harbour network.

Incat Crowther is to design a 34m catamaran passenger ferry for Fullers Group Ltd, the operator of the Auckland ferry network, and it is now being constructed by New Zealand builder Q-West. The vessel is the result of a thorough review of the network requirements, in which Incat Crowther worked closely with Fullers to design a vessel that is optimized to the network requirements and existing infrastructure and offers operational flexibility. The vessel’s 338 passengers will be accommodated over two decks, in a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces.

Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) Sperry Marine business unit has been chosen to supply radars for the Sydney Harbour Ferries fleet. Sydney Harbour Ferries will fit the Sperry Marine new-generation VisionMaster FT chart radars on all 28 vessels in the fleet. Electrotech Australia Pty Ltd, Sperry Marine’s licensed sales and service representative in Australia, will install and commission the radars and will provide technical support through its Sydney office. “The VisionMaster FT chart radars enhance situational awareness for watch officers by providing an overlay of radar images on a detailed electronic chart display,” said J. Nolasco DaCunha, vice president of Naval Systems International at Northrop Grumman’s Naval and Marine Systems Division.

New passenger-only ferry Snohomish has made its debut on Puget Sound, entering service between Seattle and Bremerton, temporarily replacing Chinook. Snohomish will serve passengers on the Seattle/Bremerton route. The new vessel is the sister ship to Chinook, which has been in service on the route since summer 1998. Both passenger-only ferries, which can carry 350 riders, were built by Dakota Creek shipyard in Anacortes. After Snohomish arrived in September, Chinook went into drydock for a bow modification to enable it to dock at auto ferry slips. The new bow allows passengers to load and unload from the front of the ferry. Snohomish already has that type of bow configuration - the most noticeable change made between the two ferries during the construction process.