Passenger Vessel News Roundup | July 20 – Chinese cruise ship sea trials plus US, Finnish and New Zealand ferries

A Finnish operator welcomes a new Ro-Pax to its fleet while a US ferry company formally names its latest acquisition. A large Chinese cruise ship commences sea trials. Finally, a New Zealand owner places an order for a locally-built commuter catamaran utilising an Australian design.

Finnlines welcomes first Ro-Pax in series

Finnish operator Finnlines took delivery of the first Ro-Pax ferry in a series built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) on Tuesday, July 18.

Finnsirius belongs to the Superstar-class, which are the largest Ro-Paxes in the Finnlines fleet. The newbuild has a length of 235 metres and capacity for 1,100 passengers and 5,100 lane metres of freight.

The vessel will enter Finnlines’ Naantali-Långnäs-Kapellskär line connecting Finland and Sweden. Operational sailings are scheduled to commence in September 2023.

Sister vessel Finncanopus will be delivered by the end of 2023.

New York Waterway christens newest ferry

Transport company New York Waterway (NY Waterway) recently christened the newest addition to its fleet of commuter ferries.

Named for the company’s founder, Arthur E. Imperatore was built by New Jersey-based Yank Marine. The ferry measures 109 by 32 feet (33 by 9.75 metres) and can transport 600 passengers.

A total installed power of 2,000 hp (1,491 kW) allows Arthur E. Imperatore to reach a service speed of 21 knots.

Future Chinese cruise ship begins sea trials

Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has begun conducting sea trials of the first large cruise ship to be built in China.

Adora Magic City will be operated by CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping. Once completed, it will have an LOA of 323.6 metres and 2,125 staterooms to house a total of 5,246 guests.

The ship is classed by both Lloyd’s Register and China Classification Society.

New Zealand operator selects Australian-designed hybrid electric ferries

New Zealand operator Auckland Transport has awarded an Australian naval architecture firm a contract for the design of a 300-passenger fast ferry to be powered by hybrid electric propulsion.

The 32-metre vessel will be constructed by Q-West Boat Builders of Whanganui. It will operate on the route between Auckland and Devonport.

The ferry will also have greater space for bicycles compared to existing vessels serving the same route.