A US operator has christened its newest Ro-Pax ferry while a commuter hydrofoil has entered service in Russia's Saratov region. A new Irish ferry that will also serve as a sightseeing vessel was recently launched in Turkey. Lastly, orders have been placed for a new fleet of Russian electric river tour boats as well as passenger-cargo ships for operation in Indonesia.
Indonesian state-owned operator Pelni has selected Italy's NAOS Ship and Boat Design to develop a new series of combined passenger and cargo ships, with three newbuildings initially planned.
NAOS said that the ships will each have an LOA of 120 metres and capacity for 1,000 passengers and 70 TEUs. They are also being designed to use wind-assisted propulsion.
The three ships will replace the 1985-built vessels Umsini and Kelimutu and the 1986-built Lawit, built in 1986. Pelni intends a wider programme to replace its current fleet of large passenger-cargo ships over time.
Pelni said in June that design work was expected to take around 17 months before construction begins. A single design, covering both the ship construction and the interiors, will be used for all three vessels.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) formally named the new hybrid-electric vehicle ferry Holly Beach on Wednesday, October 14.
Holly Beach is the first of two ferries being built by Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors under a US$49.7 million project. Completion of sister vessel Cameron is expected in late November, with entry into service planned for December.
The DOTD said Holly Beach will enter public service within 30 days of the dedication. The two ferries will take the place of the 1964-built Cameron II on the Calcasieu Ship Channel crossing.
If Cameron II is unavailable for maintenance or mandatory drydocking, the route uses a temporary side-loading ferry that is unable to carry trucks longer than 50 feet (15 metres).
Alekseyev’s Hydrofoil Design Bureau has launched a new hydrofoil ferry for operation in Russia’s Saratov region.
Lyotchik Talalikhin (Летчик Талалихин) will then undergo sea trials. Once these are complete, she will be transferred from the builder's facility in Nizhny Novgorod to the Saratov region for river service.
The hydrofoil is the fifth and final hydrofoil ferry in a series acquired for the region. She will join Yuri Gagarin, Pyotr Stolypin, General Panfilov, and Politruk Klochkov.
These four vessels operate on the Volga River route linking Saratov, Voskresenskoye, Marx, Volsk and Balakovo during the navigation season.
Turkey's Nova Shipyard has launched the 31-metre aluminium-hulled ferry and tourist shuttle Inis Oirr Express at its facility in Yalova.
Turkish media reported that the vessel is the final unit in a two-ship series built by Nova Shipyard. Sea trials will be conducted before the ferry departs for Europe.
On September 8, Irish operator Doolin Ferry introduced Inis Oírr Express as, "the newest addition to the Doolin Ferry fleet and sister ship to our flagship, Cliffs of Moher Express."
The earlier vessel has already commenced operational sailings to and from the Aran Islands and is also being used for sightseeing excursions around her namesake cliffs.
Russia’s Moscow Shipbuilding Yard has laid the keels for four two-deck electric excursion vessels, Moscow’s city transport department said on Thursday, October 8.
The first vessels in the series are scheduled to be launched in 2027. Each vessel will have a length of more than 35 metres, a beam of eight metres, and capacity for up to 168 passengers.
The passengers on each vessel will be accommodated in two saloons with panoramic windows. An open area will be provided on the upper deck.
Maksim Liksutov, Moscow Deputy Mayor for Transport and Industry, said the newbuildings will replace the city's existing excursion vessels over the next 10 years.
