Passenger Vessel News Roundup | July 24 – New ferries for Europe and North America plus Indian solar-powered tour boat
Deliveries include a solar-powered sightseeing boat and a fast catamaran ferry for California's San Francisco Bay. Orders have meanwhile been placed for new ferries for operation in Denmark, Ireland, and Canada.
Molslinjen orders two electric catamaran ferries for Kattegat route
Danish ferry operator Molslinjen has placed an order for two new battery-powered Ro-Pax catamarans to be built at a shipyard in Australia. A third similar vessel is also planned, which the company's owner, Nordic Ferry Infrastructure, says will make the Kattegat route, "the world's largest electrification project at sea."
The 129-metre vessels will have space for 1,483 passengers and 500 cars, increasing the total capacity on the Kattegat by more than 25 per cent. Each will be equipped with 45,000 kWh battery packs, enabling a service speed of up to 40 knots. The first ferry is expected to arrive in late 2027 or early 2028.
Steel cut for first of two new electric ferries for Toronto
Steel was cut on July 8 for the first of two new fully electric ferries being built for the City of Toronto in Canada. The contract for the vessels was signed last year following a competitive tender process.
The ferries are being constructed at a shipyard in Galati, Romania, with steel cutting for the second vessel scheduled for late August. The 50-metre by 13-metre vessels were designed by Québec-based naval architect Concept Naval and will operate with zero local emissions.
California's Water Emergency Transportation Authority welcomes new catamaran ferry to fleet
Shipbuilder Mavrik Marine of La Conner, Washington, has completed construction of a new aluminium catamaran ferry ordered by the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) of San Francisco, California.
Zalophus belongs to the same series as Dorado, Delphinus and Karl, which were all designed by One2Three Naval Architects of New South Wales, Australia.
Ireland's Doolin Ferry taps Turkish yard for second vessel in series
Irish operator Doolin Ferry has placed an order for a new ferry to be built by Nova Shipyard of Turkey.
The ferry will be a sister ship of Cliffs of Moher Express, which Nova Shipyard delivered in March of this year and is now operating on Doolin Ferry's Aran Islands service.
Like the earlier ferry, the new vessel will boast solar panels, emissions reduction technology, advanced stabilisation systems, and an indoor cabin with climate control and a retractable canopy.
Solar-powered sightseeing boat enters service in Goa, India
Indian boatbuilder NavAlt Solar and Electric Boats has delivered a new 44-passenger sightseeing vessel fitted with the company's proprietary propulsion system that includes an array of solar panels.
The 15-metre LRAJ Green has a 12kW solar plant and two 40kWh lithium iron phosphate batteries driving 20kW motors. A third 40kWh battery is available as an auxiliary unit while a 20kVA generator will serve as a backup.
LRAJ Green will be operated in Goa state.
