Focus on Passenger Vessels

Our regular focus on the global marine passenger transport sector once again includes vessel reviews covering a broad selection of vessel types, from compact commuter ferries to expedition cruise ships built for the harshest environments in the world. Newbuilds have entered service in some of the busiest cities in the United States and Australia, famed rivers in Europe, and coastal and inter-island routes in East Africa to name a few.

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

Interestingly, one of this week’s featured vessels is a former cruise ship that has been rebuilt to operate under the banner of a charitable organisation based in Germany. Originally constructed in the late 1980s, the ship has been modified to serve as a floating library that will visit countries throughout Southeast Asia with the objective of promoting literacy and education among others.

Visit Baird Maritime regularly to know about the latest developments in the ever-expanding global passenger vessel sector.

Vessel Reviews:

• Alisa – River cruise ship handed over to Germany’s Phoenix Reisen
  
• Talwurrapin – Commuter ferry to serve Australia’s Redland Bay
• Fire Island Maid – Compact vehicle ferry delivered to New York operator
• Scenic Eclipse II – Ice-strengthened, 228-guest luxury expedition ship for Scenic Cruises
  
• Z9 – Dutch events company adds all-electric newbuild to fleet
• VESSEL REFIT | Doulos Hope – German aid charity to operate former cruise ship
• Express 5 – Denmark’s Molslinjen acquires fast large Ro-Pax
• Kilimanjaro VIII – Fast catamaran ferry for Tanzania’s Azam Marine

News and Gear:

• US Federal Transit Administration to allot US$220 million for modernisation of ferry services
• Passenger Vessel News Roundup | May 18 – Russian river cruise ship, French Polynesian fast ferry and more
• One dead, 23 missing following hippopotamus attack on river boat in Malawi
• Indian tour boat owner arrested over deadly capsizing in Kerala
• Tour boat capsizing leaves over 22 dead in Kerala, India
• Workers’ union calls on Scottish government to address ferry service shortfalls
• Passenger Vessel News Roundup | May 2 – Russian and New Zealand catamarans, French tour boats and Italian-built ocean-going cruise ship
• Philippine authorities begin search for missing passengers from sunken dive yacht

Recent Important Features:

FEATURE | Efficacy of vessel drencher systems in relation to battery electric vehicle fires

– “The tests clearly illustrated that the overall risk of carrying battery-electric vehicles should be considered equivalent or lower than carrying internal combustion engine vehicles.”

– by Johan Roos, Director of Regulatory Affairs for worldwide ferry industry association Interferry

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 May 19), 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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