Passenger Vessel News Roundup | June 7 – Russian and French Polynesian ferries, a hybrid European river cruise ship and more

Deliveries include a catamaran ferry for a French Polynesian operator, a commuter hydrofoil for Russia’s Tatarstan Republic, a rail ferry to serve the Russian Far East, and an LNG-fuelled cruise ship. An Austrian-based cruise line meanwhile unveils a new design of a future river boat to be powered by hybrid propulsion.

Vietnamese builder completes fast catamaran for French Polynesian operator

Shipbuilder Austal Vietnam has completed construction of a new high-speed catamaran ferry ordered by the Degage Group of French Polynesia.

The 66-metre Apetahi Express can accommodate 574 passengers on two decks. A sun deck has additional seating for up to 80 passengers.

The crew accommodations meanwhile include seven two-berth cabins and two single-berth cabins.

Passenger access is via four ramps while two cranes are used to load and offload cargo totalling 16 tonnes.

Four diesel engines driving waterjets propel the ferry to a maximum speed of 35.8 knots.

Apetahi Express will soon sail on its delivery voyage to French Polynesia

MSC Cruises welcomes second LNG-fuelled ship to fleet

MSC Cruises recently took delivery of its second LNG-fuelled ship, the 177,000GT MSC Euribia.

Built by French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the vessel can also accommodate drop-in renewable fuels and retrofits that will enable it to use renewable fuels not yet available, such as green methanol.

Other key features include advanced water and waste treatment facilities. MSC said the technology meets the strictest international IMO emission standards, including the so-called Baltic standard.

New hydrofoil ferry to operate in Russia’s Tatarstan Republic

The Government of the Republic of Tatarstan in Russia’s Volga Federal District will soon begin operational sailings of a new fast hydrofoil ferry built by local company Zelenodolsk Shipyard.

Mikhail Devyatayev honours the late Mikhail Petrovich Devyatayev, a Soviet fighter pilot and former prisoner of war who was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union decoration for his actions during the Second World War.

As with its other sisters under the Project 03830 series, Mikhail Devyatayev has capacity for 124 passengers and a hydrofoil design that allows operation in wave heights of up to two metres. The main cabin also has spaces for passengers with limited mobility.

The ferry was designed by local naval architecture firm Sea-Tech.

New Russian rail ferry to serve Sakhalin Islands

Russia’s Amur Shipyard has delivered a new ferry that will transport passengers as well as wheel and rail cargo between the Russian mainland and the Sakhalin Islands.

Aleksandr Deyev belongs to the Project CNF11CPD series designed by Marine Engineering Bureau and Vympel Design Bureau.

The vessel has capacity for 200 passengers, 32 rail cars, and 20 wheeled vehicles. Passenger accommodations include double cabins, quadruple cabins, and a saloon with seating for up to 88 people.

Aleksandr Deyev will be operated by State Transport Leasing Company.

Amadeus River Cruises unveils images of future hybrid ship

Austria-based Amadeus River Cruises has unveiled the first images of a new cruise ship scheduled to enter service with the company in 2024.

Named Amadeus Nova, the vessel will serve Rhine and Danube River itineraries.

A hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system will also include a large battery. Other key features will be solar panels, a heat recovery system, and autonomous control and positioning systems.