Passenger Vessel News Roundup | August 6 – Russian ferries and tour boats plus US owner's newest cruise ship

Four new ferries, three of which are hydrofoil-equipped, and a sightseeing catamaran have been delivered to various operators in Russia while a US owner's newest ocean-going cruise ship hits the water in Italy. Four of the new vessels delivered were built by the same company in Russia.

Russian owner's newest hydrofoil ferry to be operated in Azov-Black Sea Basin

Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation, via its Vympel Shipyard division, has handed over a new hydrofoil ferry to local shipowner Mashpromlizing.

Named after a city on Crimea's Black Sea coast, Feodosia is the latest example of the Project 23160 series of hydrofoil ferries, which are each crewed by five people and are capable of transporting up to 120 passengers at speeds of over 32 knots.

Viking Cruises' newest ocean-going ship launched in Italy

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has launched a new cruise ship ordered by US-based Viking Cruises.

Viking Mira belongs to a new series of vessels that Viking will place in the small cruise ship segment. Viking Vela, the first ship in the same series, was handed over by Fincantieri in 2024.

Russian yard launches new catamaran ferry

The Sredne-Nevsky Shipbuilding Plant of Russia's state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation launched a new catamaran ferry in a ceremony on Tuesday, July 29.

Fort Shanets is the sixth vessel in the Project 04580 series of ferries designed by local engineering firm Forss Technology in compliance with Russian Maritime Register of Shipping requirements. The vessels may be operated both as commuter ferries and as tourist shuttles.

Russian yard launches new sightseeing catamaran

The Sredne Nevsky Shipbuilding Plant under Russia's state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation recently launched a new catamaran sightseeing vessel ordered by local shipowner State Transport Leasing Company (STLC).

Gabion belongs to the Project 04710 series of sightseeing catamarans designed by Russian marine engineering firm Forss Technology in compliance with Russian Maritime Register of Shipping rules. Bastion, the first vessel in the series, was handed over to STLC earlier this year.

New hydrofoil ferries enter service in Russia's Tatarstan Republic

The Government of the Republic of Tatarstan in Russia's Volga Federal District will soon begin operational sailings of two new fast hydrofoil ferries in a series built by local company Zelenodolsk Shipyard to a design by naval architecture firm Sea-Tech.

Like their earlier sister Mikhail Devyatayev, the two Project 03830 ferries each have a length of 36 metres, a beam of 11 metres, a draught of two metres, capacity for 124 passengers and seven crewmembers, and a hydrofoil design that allows operation in wave heights of up to two metres even at speeds approaching 40 knots.