Passenger Vessel News Roundup | April 10 – Hydrogen-powered cruise ships, electric ferries for San Francisco Bay and more
An European shipping major and a California operator place orders for ferries as an Italian yard begins construction of cruise ships including one powered by hydrogen. A Russian design firm meanwhile introduces a new series of double-ended Ro-Pax for both inland and open-sea sailings.
Russian firm unveils new river ferry design
Vympel Design Bureau, a company under Russia's state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation, recently unveiled design images of a new double-ended Ro-Pax ferry optimised for river nagivation.
The Project 00640 vessels are being designed to replace the ageing ferries in operation in Russian inland waterways. Many of these older ferries have an average age of 56 years and some have already exceeded their respective maximum expected service lives.
Grimaldi Group orders new ferries for Mediterranean and Baltic Sea routes
As part of its fleet expansion and renewal program, Italian shipping company the Grimaldi Group has commissioned the construction of nine Ro-Pax ferries from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai), a company under the China Merchants Group.
The contract for the six vessels has a total estimated value of US$1.3 billion.
Viking and Fincantieri announce hydrogen-powered cruise ship folly
Viking and Fincantieri today announced details of the Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, capable of operating with zero local emissions.
Already under construction at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard, the Viking Libra is scheduled for delivery in late 2026. The company’s subsequent ocean ship, the Viking Astrea, which is also currently under construction and scheduled for delivery in 2027, will also be hydrogen powered.
Nichols Brothers wins design/build contract for SFBF electric ferry pair
Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) has been awarded a contract from San Francisco Bay Ferry to design and build two 400-passenger battery-electric ferries.
The 142’1” (43.3-metre) by 34’9” (10.6-metre) Subchapter K vessels will operate at 25 knots, serving central bay routes that connect Oakland and Alameda to San Francisco.
Carnival Corporation orders two additional ships for AIDA Cruises
Carnival Corporation has placed an order for two new ships in a series for operation by German cruise line AIDA Cruises.
The agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri provides for the design, engineering, and construction of these multi-fuel-capable ships, which will be delivered to AIDA Cruises in the first quarter of fiscal years 2030 and 2032, respectively.
