Passenger Vessel News Roundup | October 21 – US and Australian expedition ships, Chinese electric tour boat and German ferry orders

A Florida-based expedition operator takes delivery of its second ship as construction is underway on a new boutique cruise ship for operation in Australia and a new electric inland tour boat for north-eastern China. A German operator meanwhile places orders for additional ferries from a Dutch shipyard.

Atlas Ocean Voyages takes delivery of second expedition ship

Florida-based Atlas Ocean Voyages recently took delivery of its newest expedition ship from Portugal’s West Sea Shipyard.

World Traveller will reposition to Ushuaia, Argentina, where it will be based for expeditions to Antarctica. It will later reposition to Europe to serve itineraries in the Mediterranean.

World Traveller is the second vessel in the Atlas Ocean Voyages fleet after sister ship World Navigator. Both ships will be named at a unique dual naming ceremony in Chile before World Traveller sails on its maiden operational voyage on November 21.

New electric inland tour boat launched in China

Chinese shipyard Harbin North Shipbuilding Industry has floated out a new inland sightseeing vessel that will be powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries.

The CCS-classed Linghang Zhixing (“Navigator Star”) measures 26.84 metres long and will have capacity for 50 passengers. The batteries will supply power to two motors driving propellers to deliver a speed of just under 10 knots.

The vessel will be operated primarily in the waters of the north-eastern province of Heilongjiang.

Germany’s SFK orders two additional ferries from Dutch builder

German ferry operator Schlepp- und Fahrgesellschaft Kiel (SFK) has placed orders for two additional hybrid ferries to be built by the Holland Shipyards Group.

The newbuilding contracts are for a hybrid bicycle and passenger vessel with capacity for 300 people and a smaller all electric bicycle and passenger vessel with capacity for 140 people and 60 bicycles.

The hybrid ferry will be provided with a hybrid drivetrain that can be powered by either generators or by means of a battery bank. Two 272kWh packs will enable long-distance sailings on battery power only.

The all-electric ferry will be provided with an installed battery capacity of 1,092 kWh. Like earlier sisters Dusternbrook and Wellingdorf, it will be equipped with an automated mooring system that features electric-hydraulically operated mooring hooks on both sides.

Development underway on new boutique cruise ship for Australian tour company

Australian luxury wilderness expedition cruise operator On Board has commissioned a local naval architecture firm to design and deliver a new boutique liveaboard cruise vessel for operation in south-western Tasmania.

The 24-metre boutique cruise vessel, named Odalisque III, is currently being built by Richardson Devine Marine in Hobart. It is scheduled for delivery in early 2023.

The aluminium-hulled Odalisque III can host up to 12 guests in seven stylish and flexible cabins. The upper deck will feature three large guest cabins, a wheelhouse lounge, and dining area as well as an outdoor dining and viewing area.

The main deck will feature four cabins, a large indoor dining area, an outdoor viewing platform and a galley.

The vessel will have three outdoor viewing decks and an open bridge to provide guests with uninterrupted views of the spectacular wilderness. The design has also allowed for the addition of two tenders, accessible from the main deck, to allow guests to board a tender for shore excursions.