Passenger Vessel News

EST-Floattech has been contracted by Dutch system integrator Van Tiem Elektro to supply its Octopus High Energy battery systems for a new series of 15 river cruise vessels.The vessels are being outfitted at De Gerlien van Tiem in Druten, and at Vahali Shipyards in Ghent, for a group of cruise operators, including AmaWaterways and Uniworld, sailing on the Danube and the Black Sea region. Each vessel will be equipped with 650 kWh of battery capacity, bringing the total order to 9.7 MWh…

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…

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…

Strategic Marine, an aluminum shipbuilder, marked the naming and delivery of Putri Mayang Sari on August 12, 2026, the first of three next-generation 43-meter passenger catamarans under construction for Bintan Resort Ferries (BRF) at the company's Singapore shipyard.Designed and built by Strategic Marine, Putri Mayang Sari is intended to support BRF's fleet renewal and expansion plans, enhancing passenger transport services between Singapore and Bintan. The vessel can accommodate up to 293 passengers across two decks…

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…

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…

In Basel today, June 11, 2026, NEPTUN WERFT officially delivered the river cruise ships Viking Annar and Viking Fjolvar to Viking. The technical handover of the vessels by the project management had already taken place yesterday, June 10, in Lelystad in the Netherlands.At 135 meters, the Viking Annar is a vessel of the Longship series. It accommodates 190 passengers and 53 crew members and operates on the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers. The first guests are scheduled to board in Amsterdam on June 22.The Viking Fjolvar is currently the last river cruise ship of the Seine series.

All American Marine (AAM), in partnership with Harbor Breeze Cruises, announced the delivery of a new 108′ x 32.5′ Parallel hybrid passenger vessel, after successful completion of sea trials. El Escudo will now enter deployment in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California.Purpose-built to serve harbor tours, whale watch cruises, and special event dining experiences throughout the LA/Long Beach area, the vessel represents a major advancement in low-emissions passenger vessel design.

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…

After 14 months in daily public transport service in Fredrikstad, Hyke’s fully electric F-15 Shuttle has demonstrated low energy consumption, strong passenger demand, and a compelling case for electric ferries as a cost-effective urban mobility solution.Traffic jams plague cities worldwide, yet their waterways remain underused. After successful public transport, Norwegian tech company Hyke has shown there’s a better alternative to building bridges or tunnels by unlocking the potential of water and existing urban infrastructure.Between April 2024 and July 2025…

Starting in September, DFDS will offer seven weekly roundtrips on the Rosslare-Dunkirk route by adding a third vessel to the route to provide increased capacity for freight operators and more travel options for passengers during the holiday season.Growing demand for direct transport links between Ireland and continental Europe continues to drive the need for additional capacity. To meet this demand, DFDS is expanding its schedule to offer a total of seven weekly roundtrips, providing greater flexibility for freight hauliers and more travel options for holidaymakers seeking convenient…

New Zealand marine technology company Vessev has announced its expansion into the Australian market, with the Enautic Group set to introduce Vessev's electric hydrofoiling passenger vessels to Western Australia. There are currently only three commercially-certified electric hydrofoiling vessels in operation anywhere in the world, two of which are Vessev VS-9s, which together have logged close to 10,000 nautical miles.The VS-9, Vessev's flagship passenger vessel, is a 29-foot electric hydrofoiling catamaran with carbon fiber foils that deliver a smooth, quiet, low-wake ride.

All 271 passengers from the Liberia-registered passenger vessel World Legacy have been safely evacuated.The fire occurred on February 20 while the vessel was en route to Singapore and resulted in the death of one crew member. The fire was brought under control by the crew shortly after.Passengers who required medical attention were attended to by paramedics, and four have been taken to hospital.Based on preliminary investigations, the fire occurred at the lounge area on deck nine of the vessel.

On December 12, the U.S. Coast Guard released their report on the collision between small passenger vessel PROWLER and yacht ATTESSA IV, flagged under the Cayman Islands. The collision occurred on October 26, 2018 in the San Diego Bay and resulted in the loss of one life. The report determines that the initiating event of the incident was a collision between the vessels. Subsequent events include loss of propulsion, flooding and passenger injuries/death. Casual factors contributing…

AS Tallink Grupp has published the Group’s passenger and cargo statistics for the fourth quarter and December 2025 to the stock exchange. Compared to the same period in 2024, passenger numbers decreased by 0.3%. During the holiday season in December, passenger numbers grew by 0.2%. For the year as a whole, results stabilized at the level of 2024.“2025 was full of challenges, ranging from the generally unfavorable economic climate in the region to weak consumer confidence. Our results are particularly affected by the situation in our largest market, Finland.

Thirteen people were confirmed dead with dozens more missing after a boat ferrying around 100 passengers capsized on Saturday in Niger state in north-central Nigeria as they headed to market, authorities said on Sunday.Twenty-six people, mostly women and children, were rescued from the wooden boat, said Yusuf Lemu, an official of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency.Local official Isiyaku Akilu said the boat driver, who was among those rescued, could not confirm the number of passengers on the boat.

On the second full day of this year’s Passenger Vessel Association’s 2025 Maritrends conference, the weather probably couldn’t have been much nicer; especially when it involved a tour and test ride on the new Artemis Technologies EF-12 Escape.The high-end water taxi, in the process of being introduced to US markets, was everything its creators promised, and perhaps just a little more. On Tuesday morning, cruising in brilliant sunshine, its full capabilities were on full display.Fully satisfying the brown water industry’s thirst for the Promised Land of “zero carbon footprint…