Passenger Vessel News Roundup | June 4 – Russian and Indian ferries plus cruise ships for Swiss and German operators
A new river cruise ship enters service in Switzerland while work continues on another in Italy as well as on ferries in Russia and India. Interestingly, all but one of the included vessels have been designed for use on inland waterways.
Russia's newest hydrofoil ferry floated out
Russia's Zelenodolsk Shipyard launched a new hydrofoil ferry during a ceremony on Friday, May 30.
The vessel belongs to the Project 03830 series of hydrofoil commuter ferries, which are also the newest variants of a series of hydrofoil ferries that were introduced in the Soviet Union in the 1960s.
New Russian catamaran ferry hits the water
The Sredne-Nevsky Shipbuilding Plant of Russia's state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation launched a new catamaran ferry in a ceremony on Friday, May 30.
Fort Obruchev belongs to 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.
Italian yard launches TUI Cruises' newest LNG-fuelled ship
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has launched the second of two LNG-fuelled cruise ships in a series ordered from the company by German operator TUI Cruises.
Like sister ship Mein Schiff Relax, which was delivered in February 2025, Mein Schiff Flow will have a gross tonnage of 160,000 and space for 3,984 guests upon completion. Onboard facilities will include 14 restaurants, 17 bars and lounges, a spa, a wellness area, and an infinity pool.
Indian yard lays keels of new hybrid ferries to serve West Bengal
India's Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers has laid the keels of 13 new hybrid catamaran ferries ordered by the Transport Department of the Government of West Bengal.
The ferries will be operated by the West Bengal Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation along the Hooghly River in Kolkata.
The vessels will be of aluminium and FRP construction and will be powered by hybrid propulsion systems consisting of batteries and generators.
Switzerland's Twerenbold Reisen takes delivery of river cruise ship
Swiss cruise company the Twerenbold Reisen Group recently took delivery of a new river cruise ship.
The 135-metre Excellence Crown is the tenth overall ship to join the current active fleet of Twerenbold Reisen's Swiss Excellence River Cruise brand as well as the first ship in the fleet to be fitted with hybrid propulsion.
