Focus on Passenger Vessels

The spotlight is once again on the passenger vessel industry. In particular, we take a closer look at some of the vessels within this steadily growing industry that recently entered service with various operators around the world.

Ferries • Ro-Pax • Marine Tourism • Cruise • River/Lake Operations

The different sub-sectors of the industry are also represented. This week, we feature a fast catamaran that sails between Indonesia and Malaysia, three large cruise ships for owners in the US and Europe, a Japanese inter-island ferry, and two sightseeing boats that will serve Chinese inland and coastal routes.

With the many interesting developments in the global passenger vessel industry now and in the future, readers are assured that Baird Maritime is regularly updated with news and features covering this ever important industry.

Vessel Reviews:

• Liangjiang Qingchuan – Sightseeing vessel to serve China’s Wuhan City
• Liuheng 1 – Chinese inland tour boat with 335-passenger capacity
  
• Disney Wish – Disney Cruise Line adds fifth newbuild to fleet
• Aoi – New large-capacity Ro-Pax ferry for Japanese inter-island routes
• Norwegian Prima – First in series of 3,300-guest ships for Norwegian Cruise Line
• MSC Seascape – MSC Cruises’ newest ship boasts emissions-reduction and health-friendly features
  
• Indomal Empire – Indonesian-built catamaran ferry to operate on Malacca Strait
  
• Colibr-e – Stylish, fast tour boat for French coastal operator

News and Gear:

• Over 500 evacuated following twin ferry groundings in eastern India
• Australia’s TasPorts begins terminal dredging works in Devonport
• Norwegian operator to prohibit carriage of electric, hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles on coastal routes
• Nearly 200 evacuated after fire ignites on berthed ferry in Palermo, Italy
• Five in hospital after charter boat hits pier in Melbourne, Australia
• Passenger Vessel News Roundup | January 13 – Norwegian and Swedish ferry deliveries, cruise tender craft and a yacht support boat
• Norwegian Maritime Authority proposes emissions control measures for world heritage fjords
• UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency issues new rules covering passenger vessel safety
• Over 30 rescued after tour boat capsizes off Bali, Indonesia

Recent Important Features:

FEATURE | UK consortium developing hydrogen-powered hovercraft for passenger transport

– “The novel propulsion system will be demonstrated on 12-seat and 80-seat hovercraft.”

FEATURE | Electric tour boat fleet for Shanghai’s Suzhou Creek

– “The creek itself possesses historical and cultural significance, having been used as a major trade route for silk and ceramics during the Tang Dynasty.”

REMINISCENCES | Building a luxury day boat for the navy

– “I was in a bit of shock as I had never experienced such a team of people to make a decision about such a small project (by navy standards).”

– by Bill Wright, director of Australian shipbuilder Norman R. Wright and Sons

Remember to come back every day to see the latest news, opinion and vessel reviews!

Call for content!

Any news or views about the global maritime tourism, ferry and cruise industries? Send it through to [email protected] ASAP (between now and January 20), so we can add it to this current edition of Passenger Vessel Week!

We are after:

• Vessels – Orders, new deliveries, under construction
• Gear – Latest innovations and technology in the passenger vessel sector
• Interviews – Owners, operators, terminal authorities, passenger vessel associations, etc.
• Reminiscences – Do you have any exciting, amusing or downright dangerous anecdotes from your time in the passenger vessel world? (example here)
• Other – Any other relevant news

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