Whale Watching Catamaran Ready for Operation in Seattle
FRS Clipper has welcomed its new whale watching catamaran Emerald Clipper.The new boat will be Seattle’s only whale watching tour operating from downtown Seattle and will offer two sailings per day during the summer season. The 103-foot catamaran features two expansive, wind-protected viewing decks, floor-to-ceiling windows, and cruising speeds of up to 32 knots. It has capacity for 300 guests.FRS Clipper commissioned the vessel’s owner, CNI Newco, to have the Emerald Clipper built by Mavrik Marine, Inc. in Washington.
Whale Watching Catamaran Launched in Seattle
FRS Clipper has launched Emerald Clipper, a new whale watching catamaran in Seattle.The 103-foot catamaran features two expansive, wind-protected viewing decks, floor-to-ceiling windows.Designed by One2Three Naval Architects in Sydney, Australia, and built by Mavrik Marine, Inc. in La Conner, Washington, the vessel combines advanced design with passenger comfort and efficiency.The vessel has capacity for 150 passengers and 3-4 attendants for service. Its waterjet propulsion system…
Interferry Introduces Six New Board Directors and New President
Interferry, the global association representing the ferry industry, announced the appointment of six new members to its Board of Directors. These new director appointments, approved at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Sorrento on October 6, reflect the diversity and global reach of the ferry industry. The newly appointed directors, each approved for a four-year term, are:Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority, and Interferry’s first African Director…
Hydrofoiling Ferry Could Prevent Seasonal Travel Disruption at Isles of Scilly
Artemis Technologies is leading a feasibility study on the establishment of a new ferry service between Newlyn in Cornwall and St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly, around 30 miles off the southwestern tip of Cornwall, England, in the Atlantic Ocean.The study will assess the technical and commercial viability of deploying the Artemis EF-24 Passenger, a 100% electric, high-speed hydrofoil ferry, to provide a reliable, year-round passenger and cargo service on a route where no winter…
Send in the Robots for High-Frequency Biofouling Control
The currents in Singapore can be so strong that divers cleaning fouling from a ship’s hull can feel like they are swimming in a river. There’s times when it’s just not safe for them to be there.The currents can be a problem for robotic cleaners as well, but for ship operators, the bigger problem is having to wait long after cargo operations have concluded while the hull is cleaned by either method.And yet, many of the pressures they face for keeping the hull clean – invasive species…
DFDS Completes FRS Iberia/Maroc Acquisition
DFDS has completed its acquisition of FRS Iberia/Maroc, a short-sea ferry company connecting Spain and Morocco via the Strait of Gibraltar.“We are excited to start the integration of FRS Iberia/Maroc and look forward to applying our joint capabilities to grow the business while continuing to provide reliable, efficient ferry services to both passengers and freight customers,” said Torben Carlsen, CEO of DFDS.Reporting preliminary revenue of DKK 1.0bn for 2023, FRS Iberia/Maroc has three routes operated by a total of 850 staff of which just over 400 are own employees.
Hydrogen-Powered Offshore Wind CTV Starts Sailing in Germany
FRS Windcat Offshore Logistics has announced the deployment of the hydrogen-powered dual fuel crew transfer vessel (CTV) in Germany for 50Hertz transmission system operator, marking the beginning of a joint operation in various wind farms in the German Baltic Sea.The CTV, named Hydrocat 55, is equipped with the dual fuel hydrogen technology of CMB.TECH, one of the FRS Windcat Offshore Logistics (FWOL) shareholders.The vessel represents an innovation for the offshore wind industry…
Interferry Conference Set to Focus on Power and People Priorities
Cutting-edge solutions to an unprecedented increase in human and technological challenges will be unveiled when global trade association Interferry stages its 46th annual conference in Seattle this October on the theme of ‘Power and People’.As Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan explains, "In a fast-changing operational and environmental climate, the ferry industry’s long-term success depends more than ever on two main factors. We need to attract dedicated people who are interested in pursuing a rewarding maritime career and help them achieve the qualifications required by our industry.
Windcat CTV is World's First Powered by Dual-fuel Hydrogen Engines
The world's first dual-fuel hydrogen- and diesel-powered crew transfer vessel (CTV) is ready for service, outfitted to run the cleaner fuel that reduces up to 80% of its traditional fuel usage and associated emissions.The 25-meter vessel, Hydrocat 48—owned by Windcat Workboats, part of Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB)—is based on the Windcat MK 3.5 design but lengthened to integrate adequate hydrogen storage on board. The vessel, which has been certified by Lloyd’s Register and U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency, recently completed bunkering and sea trials in May.
Interferry 2022 'Call for Papers'
Interferry has launched a call for papers addressing the ‘Power and People’ themes of its 46th annual conference taking place in Seattle, Washington, in October 2022.Under the Power theme, presentations are invited on any sustainable, future-proof vessel powering options and the related challenges – notably the regulatory targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions of some 50% by 2030 and a ‘net zero’ scenario by 2050. With electrification emerging as the ferry industry’s key driver towards these goals…
Study Reveals Ferry Industry’s Huge Economic Impact
A study commissioned by trade association Interferry has revealed startling statistics on the far-reaching extent of the global ferry industry’s value to the world economy.Research into the latest pre-Covid full-year figures found that, in 2019, ferries carried 4.27 billion passengers – on a par with aviation – and 373 million vehicles across a worldwide fleet of 15,400 vessels. Among other findings, the industry provided 1.1 million jobs, contributed $60 billion to the world…
Windcat Workboats Names Head of CSOV Business
Offshore crew transfer company Windcat Workboats has informed that Stephen Bolton has joined its Executive Management Team as Managing Director CSOVs, as part of the company's plan to build a CSOV business.Commissioning service operation vessels (CSOV) are used as motherships for offshore technicians used in support of the construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms located far from shore.Announcing CSOV director appointment, Windcat Workboats said: "Having worked on the…
Ferry Runs Aground Off Ibiza. One 10-year-old Boy Seriously Injured
A ferry ran aground off the Spanish island of Ibiza on Saturday night, an incident the emergency services told local media had left 25 people injured, two seriously, including a 10-year-old boy.The San Gwann ferry, operated by German shipping company FRS, runs between Ibiza and Formentera, the smallest of Spain's Balearic islands.It was leaving Ibiza's port at 9.30 p.m. on Saturday night when it ran aground on the islet of Es Malvins, FRS said in a statement.It said the ferry…
SEACOR Marine Completes Sale of Windcat to CMB
New York-listed offshore vessel owner SEACOR Marine has completed the previously announced sale of its offshore crew transfer subsidiary Windcat Workboats to the Belgian shipping and logistics group Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB).Windcat is headquartered in Lowestoft, United Kingdom and IJmuiden, the Netherlands and has joint ventures with two local partners, FRS Windcat Offshore Logistics in Germany and TSM Windcat in France. Windcat employs approximately 180 shore-based and sea-going personnel.The sale was completed on January 12…
SEACOR Marine Sells Windcat Workboats to CMB
New York-listed offshore vessel operator SEACOR Marine has agreed to sell its Windcat Workboats and its crew transfer vessel (“CTV”) business to the Belgian shipping and logistics group Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB).Windcat Workboats owns and operates a fleet of 46 offshore crew transfer vessels, mainly in the European offshore wind sector, but also in the oil and gas industry and outside Europe. At the closing of the transaction, CMB will pay SEACOR Marine £32.8 million in cash…
Interferry Welcomes Easing of Travel Restrictions
Trade association Interferry says it welcomes the European Commission’s guidance on the gradual relaxation of travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and relaunching of transportation links that will go into effect in advance of this summer’s travel and tourism season.“We welcome the growing signs in Europe and beyond that COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are starting to be eased,” says Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan. “The global ferry industry is prepared to contribute to…
Ford Commences Second Round of Carrier Qualifications
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the only carrier qualification (CQ) asset regularly available on the East Coast this year, commenced its second round of CQs for Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) pilots May 10, with a healthy and mission-focused crew.Ford, operating at-sea at the same time as four other U.S. aircraft carriers, is conducting its fourth independent steaming event (ISE) since commencing an 18-month Post Delivery Test and Trials (PDT&T) phase of operations in November…
Flex LNG Launches New LNG Carrier
Norway-based player in LNG Shipping with a focus on LNG Carriers and FSRUs (Floating Storage Regasification Units) Flex LNG has launched the 173,400m³ Flex Resolute LNG carrier at South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) shipyard.According to LinkedIn post of Flex LNG, the new-building number 2480, to be named Flex Resolute, has been launched on January 5.Flex Resolute is a 173,400 cbm two-stroke vessel fitted with a full re-liquefaction system (MEGI-FRS) giving a boil off rate (BOR) of 0.035 percent.The company said that once fully refurbished and mobilized the vessel will be available for business in the third quarter of 2020.
New Vessel to Pep Up FRS Service
Förde Reederei Seetouristik (Fast Reliable Seaways) or FRS, a German transportation company specialising in passenger ferry and freight transportation, will introduce a faster and higher capacity vessel to the Melilla – Motril route.The ro-pax ferry Golden Bridge will start operations on the line next May, said a press note from FRS.This vessel, with an overall length of 186 metres and beam of up to 24 metres, can make the Melilla -Motril crossing in 5 hours, meaning a reduction by 2 hours on the current crossing time.The RoPax "Golden Bridge" that is being completely refurbished and adapted to the needs of the line, will be incorporated in May…
Interferry Confirms Future Conference Locations
Interferry has confirmed locations for the 2021 and 2022 editions of its industry-leading annual conference – held every October - in the latest initiative to extend its reach as the only organization representing the worldwide ferry industry. The global trade association’s 46th annual conference will take place in Santander, Spain, followed in 2022 by a twin-venue event in Marrakesh and Tangier, Morocco, which will mark a first for Interferry on the African continent. Multi-award winner Brittany Ferries will host the Santander conference.
Great Ships 2018: BP's British Partner
BP Shipping took delivery of British Partner, the first of a half dozen new 173,400 cu. m. capacity liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers to be delivered through 2018 and 2019 from the DSME shipyard in South Korea. BP Shipping, which launched a fleet rejuvenation program in 2016 that includes 32 new vessels for delivery over a three-year period, said the six new Partnership class ships will increase its ability to transport LNG in emerging new markets, such as Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt and Bangladesh, in addition to established markets, such as India, China, the U.S.
Great Ships of 2018: Halunder Jet
Fast and comfortable to Heligoland with Halunder JetThe work took just over a year, the big day becomes finally reality: the successor to the former HALUNDER JET is ready. Around 250 shipyard employees and 60 employees from Förde Reederei Seetouristik, Flensburg, Germany, worked on the catamaran in the AUSTAL shipyard in Cebu. After 15 years of loyal service, the company, FRS, finally said goodbye to the old HALUNDER JET in the fall of 2017. It was hauled to the west coast of America…
First of Six New LNG Carriers Delivered to BP
BP Shipping has taken delivery of British Partner, the first of a half dozen new 173,400 cubic meter capacity liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers to be delivered through 2018 and 2019 from the DSME shipyard in South Korea.BP Shipping, which launched a fleet rejuvenation program in 2016 that includes 32 new vessels for delivery over a three-year period, says the six new Partnership class ships will increase its ability to transport LNG in emerging new markets, such as Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt and Bangladesh, in addition to established markets, such as India, China, the U.S.