Work Boat World Passenger Vessel Orders and Deliveries Roundup – May 26, 2022

Both Ro-Pax and passenger-only commuter ferries are the focus of this latest roundup of passenger vessel deliveries to operators in Europe, the US, and Japan.

Swedish ferry operator takes delivery of hybrid double-ender

Swedish public transport company Västtrafik has taken delivery of the fourth hybrid electric ferry to join its fleet.

Built by Finland’s Tyovene, the 33-metre, double-ended Eloise has capacity for 298 passengers and 80 bicycles and is fitted with an EST-Floattech 1,260kWh battery system as well as a diesel generator. The battery system has shore charging capability and can enable fully electric sailings for up to six hours.

The ferry also has a battery management system and a number of mechanical features to ensure continuous safe operations.

Eloise has a service speed of 11 knots.

Amsterdam’s GVB christens fourth electric ferry in series

Gemeente Vervoerbedrijf (GVB), a municipal public transport operator serving the city of Amsterdam, has christened the newest addition to its fleet of electric Ro-Pax ferries.

Built by the Holland Shipyards Group (HSG), the 42- by 14-metre NZK Pont 103 is the fourth vessel in a series of ferries that are slated to replace GVB’s older diesel-powered vessels in operation on the North Sea Canal.

Two other sister vessels are under various stages of construction at HSG’s facilities in Rotterdam and Hardinxveld. All ferries in the series will be in service by 2023.

San Francisco Bay Ferry to put new fast catamaran into service

The Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) of San Francisco, California will soon begin operational sailings of a new catamaran ferry in the Bay Area.

Dorado is the first ferry in a series of four being built by Mavrik Marine of Washington State. It has capacity for 320 passengers and can reach a service speed of 32 knots thanks to its waterjet propulsion.

Dorado and its sisters will be operated by WETA through its San Francisco Bay Ferry line.

New Japanese Ro-Pax to serve Yawatahama-Beppu inter-island route

Japanese operator Uwajima Unyu will deploy its newest Ro-Pax ferry on the 86-kilometre route between the cities of Yawatahama and Beppu, thus connecting the main islands of Shikoku and Kyushu.

Reimei Maru has a length of 121.4 metres, a beam of 16 metres, capacity for 586 passengers, and diesel propulsion.

The ferry was built by Naikai Zosen Corporation.