Passenger Vessel News Roundup | January 3 – Russian ferries and tour boats plus Chinese-built large Ro-Paxes for Western European owners

A French operator welcomes a new ferry to its fleet as two new electric commuter vessels commence operational trials in the Russian capital. A Chinese yard launches the second vehicle ferry in a series ordered by a Finnish shipowner. Finally, a Russian tour operator will expand its fleet with the acquisition of four catamaran newbuildings within the next two years.

Brittany Ferries welcomes third LNG-fuelled Ro-Pax in series

Brittany Ferries recently took delivery of the third LNG-fuelled Ro-Pax vessel in a series built for the company by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard Weihai.

As with earlier sisters Galicia and Salamanca, Santona was ordered by Sweden’s Stena RoRo on behalf of Brittany Ferries. The newbuild has a length of  215 metres, a displacement of approximately 42,200 tonnes, and 3,000 lane metres of space for cars and lorries.

Santona will begin serving Brittany Ferries’ UK-Spain routes alongside Salamanca later this year.

Electric ferries undergo trials on Russia’s Moskva River

Two new electric commuter ferries have begun undergoing operational trials on the Moskva River in the Russian capital Moscow.

Sinichka and Filka have already sailed a total of 7,000 kilometres on the river as part of the trials, the Moscow Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development (Moscow Deptrans) confirmed via social media.

The trials also include navigation under winter conditions with broken surface ice.

Russian owner orders four catamaran tour boats

Russian shipowner State Transport Leasing Company, operator Neva Travel, and Sredne-Nevsky Shipbuilding Plant have entered into an agreement on the construction and delivery of four catamaran sightseeing vessels.

The vessels will each have capacity for 150 passengers across two decks and a speed of 11 knots. All interior spaces will also include areas for travellers with limited mobility.

The first two catamarans will enter service in 2024 while the remaining pair will follow in 2025.

Finnlines’ newest ferry floated out in China

Finnlines’ newest Ro-Pax ferry was floated out at the facilities of China Merchants Jinling Shipyard Weihai on Friday, December 30.

Finncanopus is the second ferry in a series ordered by Finnlines from the same builder. Once completed, it will measure 235 metres long and will have space for 1,100 passengers and up to 5,100 lane metres of freight.

Finncanopus will join sister vessel Finnsirius in operating between Finland and Sweden beginning later this year.