Passenger Vessel News Roundup | March 12 – Focus on ferries: UK, US and Danish electric vessels plus a Chinese vehicle transporter and an Indonesian catamaran

Passenger Vessel News Roundup | March 12 – Focus on ferries: UK, US and Danish electric vessels plus a Chinese vehicle transporter and an Indonesian catamaran

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It's an all-ferry roundup this week with news about deliveries in the UK and Indonesia and ongoing design and construction work on electric vessels for operation in the US and Denmark.

Chinese yard launches new vehicle ferry for operation in eastern Zhejiang province

Chinese yard launches new vehicle ferry for operation in eastern Zhejiang province
Zhexiang Qidu 12 after being launched into the water, March 10, 2025

China's Pinghu Huahai Shipbuilding launched a new Ro-Pax ferry at its Ningbo facilities on Monday, March 10.

Ordered by local shipping company Xiangshan County Automobile Ferry, Zhexiang Qidu 12 ("Zhejiang Steam Ferry 12") will have an LOA of 49.4 metres, a beam of 12.4 metres, a depth of 2.85 metres, a draught of only 1.65 metres, a gross tonnage of 496, a speed of 10 knots, and a crew of 14.

UK operator places electric cross-river ferry into service

UK operator places electric cross-river ferry into service
Orbit ClipperUber Boat by Thames Clippers

UK operator Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has placed a new electric catamaran commuter ferry into service on the Thames.

Built by Wight Shipyard, Orbit Clipper is the first in a new series of aluminium double-ended, cross-river ferries that can transport up to 150 passengers and 100 bicycles. It is scheduled to enter service in the late spring of 2025, operating between London's Canary Wharf on the north side of the Thames and Rotherhithe on the south.

Sea trials begin for new electric ferry for Molslinjen

Sea trials begin for new electric ferry for Molslinjen
NerthusMolslinjen

A new double-ended Ro-Pax ferry ordered by Danish ferry company Molslinjen has been launched into the water for the first time.

Nerthus was designed by Danish naval architecture firm OSK Design in compliance to Bureau Veritas (BV) class rules and Danish flag regulations.

Indonesia's Dumai Express Group takes delivery of new shallow-draught ferry

Ruby Dumai
Ruby of DumaiDumai Express Group

The Dumai Express Group's latest catamaran ferry has completed sea trials and will shortly commence operations in Indonesia.

Built by Cahaya Samudra Shipyard in Batam, Indonesia, Ruby of Dumai provides a capacity of 271 passengers across a two-deck layout.

Flagship Cruises and Events awarded $15.2m in subsidies for electric vessel pair

Arist's rendering of Flagship's proposed electric ferry
Arist's rendering of Flagship's proposed electric ferryFlagship Cruises and Events

San Diego-based Flagship Cruises and Events has been awarded a $15.27 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop two fully electric zero emission ferries to serve the San Diego to Coronado route.

The CARB Advanced Technology Demonstration and Pilot Project grant is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that funnels carbon tax dollars into "climate change" projects in the state.

Partnership to introduce electric foiling ferries for operation in Washington's Puget Sound

Partnership to introduce electric foiling ferries for operation in Washington's Puget Sound
Rendering of Artemis Technologies' 24-metre electric hydrofoil ferryArtemis Technologies

UK-based marine technology company Artemis Technologies and Seattle-based yacht builder Delta Marine have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the manufacture of electric foil-equipped passenger vessels specifically for Washington's Puget Sound.

Under the MOU, Artemis Technologies and Delta Marine will introduce small electric hydrofoil ferries ideal for high-speed, short-haul routes.

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Baird Maritime / Work Boat World
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