Passenger Vessel News Roundup | May 31 – Spanish and South Korean catamarans, an electric tour boat for China and a compact fast ferry for Norway

Deliveries include fast catamaran ferries to operators in South Korea and Spain and an electric-powered inland sightseeing vessel for China’s Foshan City. A Norwegian owner meanwhile places an order for a compact commuter boat that will be built locally.

Spanish builder delivers fast ferry to local operator

Spain’s Armon Shipyard has handed over a new fast catamaran to local operator Mar de Ons.

The vessel, also named Mar de Ons, is a near identical sister of an earlier ferry in the owner’s fleet.

The ferry has capacity for 394 passengers and also has space for wheelchairs and a refreshments kiosk.

South Korea’s Daezer Ferry acquires Australian-built ferry

South Korean transport company Daezer Ferry recently took delivery of a catamaran passenger vessel built by an Australian shipyard.

The 76-metre-long El Dorado Express can accommodate up to 990 passengers and crew as well as cargo totalling 25 tonnes. Four Caterpillar C280-16 main engines will deliver a speed of 50.2 knots at 100 per cent MCR.

The ferry will be operated between the city of Pohang on the South Korean mainland and the island of Ulleung, transporting both regular commuters and tourists.

New electric tour boat enters service on Chinese inland waters

A new electric tour boat has begun operational sailings in inland waters in and around the southern Chinese port city of Foshan.

Sanlongwan 2 has all-steel construction, an LOA of 49.9 metres, a beam of 12 metres, a depth of three metres, and capacity for 412 passengers. Two lithium-iron-phosphate battery packs with a total output of 3,010 kWh drive two 230kW motors to deliver a speed of just under 10 knots.

China Classification Society said the batteries are also fitted with systems to prevent thermal runaway.

Norwegian operator taps local yard for new high-speed ferry

Norwegian operator Metro-Opus has awarded a local shipyard a contract for the construction of a new high-speed ferry.

The 15-metre-long vessel will have space for 12 passengers, two crewmembers, and cargo. The interior will also be wheelchair-accessible.

The vessel will be equipped to handle various other duties beyond passenger transport. Equipped with IPS drives, interceptors, and a deep V-hull, the vessel will also be capable of operating under adverse weather conditions.

See all the other news, reviews and features of this month’s Marine Engines and Propulsion Systems Week right here.