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Ferry Technology News

08 Dec 2021

Auckland’s First High-speed Plug-in Electric Hybrid Ferry Announced

(Image: Fullers360)

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…

01 Nov 2021

New Fully Electric Hydrofoil Ferry Concept Unveiled

(Image: Boundary Layer Technologies)

California-based marine technology startup Boundary Layer Technologies has unveiled a new fully electric hydrofoiling ferry concept design.Using the company’s proprietary hydrofoil technology and podded propulsion system, ELECTRA has a range of up to 100 nautical miles and cruise speed of 40 knots, twice the range and speed of existing electric ferries.Compared to fossil fuel alternatives, ELECTRA’s battery electric propulsion reduces cabin noise by up to 20dB compared to conventional ferries…

28 Aug 2020

Kitsap Transit Gets Fed Funds for High-Speed, Low-Emission Ferry Project

Illustration courtesy of Glosten

As the global maritime community collectively is slowly pushed toward decarbonization, it is generally agreed that there is no ‘silver bullet’ technical solution and that progress will come in steps, led by public/private collaboration and funding.A recent development following that script is the awarding this week of federal funds to a Washington State team working to accelerate ferry technology, with the joint innovation project selected for funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration.

28 Oct 2016

New Plan Pledges Ferry Safety Lead

File photo: Eric Norcross

Interferry has unveiled a strategic plan promising to put safety issues at the heart of its work as the voice of the worldwide ferry industry. The pledge came at the global trade association’s 41st annual conference in Manila – a venue chosen to spotlight the challenges of domestic ferry safety in developing nations. According to Interferry, the plan signals its overriding ambition to help lift ferry safety in all parts of the world to the very high standard already in place in North America and Europe, where casualties in recent decades have been extremely rare.

02 Jul 2014

LR to Class Unique Energy Efficient Ferry

Texelstroom

Large ferry to trade between the Dutch islands of Texel and Den Helder will have an advanced energy management system – operating principally on gas but also with batteries, solar auxiliary power and the capability to run solely on diesel. Lloyd’s Register will class Texelstroom, the 1,750-passenger, 350-vehicle, double ended ferry that will operate between the Dutch islands of Texel and Den Helder. Ordered by Royal N.V. Texels Eigen Stoomboot Onderneming (TESO), the ferry will…

01 Aug 2008

Austal USA Expands

Austal’s operation located in , celebrated the start of work on its Modular Manufacturing Facility (MMF) with a groundbreaking ceremony on July 31, 2008. Located on , just south of , the MMF project when complete will include 700,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space, 80,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space, and 60,000 sq. ft. of office space. The MMF expansion will be constructed in two phases and will ultimately accommodate a total workforce of up to 1,200 personnel in the new buildings.

14 Jan 2004

Austal Wins Big Hawaii Contract

Hawaii Superferry signed a historic agreement with Austal USA that proposes bringing the world’s newest passenger-vehicle catamarans to Hawaiian waters for the development of a commercial high-speed interisland ferry service in Hawaii. Hawaii Superferry plans to use Austal USA-built, high-speed, roll-on/roll-off vessels to create “Hawaii’s Interisland Highway,” with state-of-the-art Austal USA catamarans carrying passengers, vehicles and freight between Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island, beginning in 2006. Under the agreement, Hawaii Superferry plans to purchase two 340-foot catamaran ferry vessels from Mobile, AL-based Austal USA for delivery during 2006-2008 under an exclusive, strategic relationship.

21 Jun 2004

Austal Delivers for U.S.

The new Austal Auto Express 58 catamaran “Lake Express” entered service on June 1. Operating between Milwaukee, Wis., and Muskegon, Mich., “Lake Express” provides a crossing time of 2.5 hours slicing in half the time it would take to drive around the southern tip of the lake, through a congested Chicago. Another Austal vessel, the Australian-built “Spirit of Ontario I”, is scheduled to begin service across Lake Ontario between Toronto and Rochester, New York, on June 18. The establishment of the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile…

24 Jan 2002

From Small Commercial Shipyard to Premier

Local and state dignitaries convened on the Monmouth County waterfront to take part in the christening of the Gladding-Hearn built M/V Seastreak New Jersey, a 141-ft. (42.9-m), 400 passenger high speed catamaran which will provide daily commuter service from Atlantic Highlands, and Highlands, N.J., to Pier 11 (Wall Street) and East 34th Street in Manhattan. According to Geoffrey Ede of SeaStreak America, Inc., Seastreak New Jersey and its sister ship Seastreak New York are the fastest diesel powered ferries in the New York Harbor today with service speeds of approximately 45 mph. Our outstanding commuter service into New York will…

05 Jan 2001

Innovation on the Irish Sea

Nordic prowess in ferry technology, coupled with Irish business verve, is set to take the sector to a new highpoint as regards the concentration of wheeled freight capacity in a RoRo passenger vessel. Built in the cruise ferry mold, Irish Ferries' 50,000-gt Ulysses embodies 4,100 lane-meters of garaging for trucks on four decks. The vessel is an eloquent testament to the operator's robust traffic development, and its perception of new opportunities arising from unprecedented growth in the Irish economy, foreign trade and tourism. Although P&O North Sea Ferries' 60,600-gt Pride of Rotterdam, nearing completion at Fincantieri's Marghera yard…

10 Jul 2002

Austal Delivers Lilia Concepcion Ferry

Ferry services to Venezuela's Margarita Island will be further revolutionised with the delivery of a second 86m vehicle/passenger catamaran to Conferry. Built in Western Australia by Austal Ships, "Lilia Concepcion" will join a fleet that already includes a similar Austal fast ferry, "Carmen Ernestina", delivered in 1999. Austal's Managing Director, Mr Bob McKinnon said, "Every delivery is a special occasion for Austal, but the fact that Conferry has returned to us for this second vessel makes this delivery especially satisfying. "A repeat order from such an experienced and reputable operator is a tremendous vote of confidence in Austal and the ships we build," Mr McKinnon said.

31 May 2007

First Hawaii Superferry Handover

The 107-meter Auto Express vehicle-passenger catamaran, launched at Austal’s Mobile, Alabama facility on January 18, for the Hawaii Superferry Corporation has been officially named Alakai (Hawaiian for “ocean path”). The ferry will now transit to the Hawaiian Islands to commence service later this summer. In April, Alakai successfully completed sea trials conducted in the Gulf of Mexico. There were numerous challenges involved in completing the largest aluminium ship built to date in the USA to ensure adherence to stringent weight controls and construction standards Austal is renowned for in its high performance vessels. It quickly became evident that the American design and construction team had indeed set a high standard when the ferry was put to the test in Gulf waters.

20 Jun 2006

Superferry Engine Installation Completed

Installation of the four MTU 8000 Series engines is now complete in the first of two, Austal Auto Express 107 metre vehicle-passenger ferries for Hawaii Superferry (HSF) currently under construction at Austal’s USA shipyard. Each 45 tonne engine has 20 cylinders, and produces 8,200 kw (10,995hp) at 1150 rpm. The installation of all four engines was completed within three weeks, ahead of schedule, in what was a first for the Austal USA shipyard given the size and weight of the engines. The catamaran is the largest aluminium vessel ever built in the USA. The first ferry is due for delivery in the first half of 2007. Construction has already started on the second ferry that is scheduled for introduction into service in the first half of 2009.

15 Jun 2006

Engine Installation Completed for Hawaii Superferry

On April 3, 2006, at Austal’s Mobile, Alabama shipyard, the installation began on the first of four MTU 8000 Series engines; the largest yet to be installed on any of Austal’s ferries in the U.S. These engines were installed in the first of two Austal Auto Express, 353-ft. vehicle-passenger ferries for Hawaii Superferry (HSF) that will be built at Austal. Each 49-ton engine has 20 cylinders, and produces 8,200 kw at 1150 RPM. Full contract funding for this two-vessel project was recently confirmed in October 2005 making the contract unconditional. Construction of the first ferry has been underway since June 2004 at Austal in Mobile based…

29 Oct 2002

Austal Chief Predicts Fast Ferry Pick-Up

Austal Ships' Managing Director, Mr Bob McKinnon said he believes after a period of low activity within the fast ferry market, there are now signs that the market is on the rebound, coming primarily from three principal sources: existing fast ferry operators attracted by new technologies; the growth and emergence of new markets; and the use of fast ferry technology in new roles such as military applications. McKinnon presented his thoughts at Ausmarine 2002, an international marine industry conference being held in Fremantle, Western Australia. McKinnon said that diversification of the customer base would almost certainly result in a more diverse range of fast ferries being delivered over the next few years.

31 Oct 2005

Austal Confirms Order for Hawaii Superferry

Austal USA shipyard confirmed the order of two Austal, Auto Express 107 metre vehicle-passenger ferries for Hawaii Superferry (HSF), making the contract unconditional. Construction of the first ferry has been underway since June 2004 at Austal’s Mobile, Alabama shipyard based on initial funding from Hawaii Superferry and a strategic decision by Austal to advance work on the structure in order to develop the workforce in readiness for the US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship order. On present planning, the first ferry is due for delivery in December 2006. The second ferry will start in the second half of 2006 and is due for completion in first half of 2009.