Viking marks float out of newest ocean ship

VIKING VELA © Viking

Viking announced its newest ocean ship-the 998-guest VIKING VELA-was floated out, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Scheduled to debut in December 2024, the VIKING VELA will spend her inaugural season sailing voyages in the Mediterranean and in Northern Europe.

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MEIN SCHIFF RELAX launched in Monfalcone

MEIN SCHIFF RELAX © TUI Cruises

The launch of MEIN SCHIFF RELAX (initially MEIN SCHIFF 8), the first of two InTUItion class new concept cruise ships, dual-fuel LNG powered that Fincantieri is building for TUI Cruises took place at the Monfalcone shipyard. The godmother of the ship was Elena Sperti, an employee of the shipyard. With approximately 330m length and 160,000 gross tons, these units will constitute the backbone of TUI Cruises’ future fleet.

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Wärtsilä signs Electrification and Integration Services agreement for USA’s first zero (direct)-emission high speed ferries project

San Francisco Bay Ferry system WETA © WETA

Wärtsilä has signed a strategic partnership agreement to provide its Fleet Electrification and Systems Integrator Services for a project to build the first zero (direct)-emission high speed ferries in the USA. The fully electric vessels will be built for San Francisco’s Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), the operator of the San Francisco Bay Ferry system.

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The second of P&O Ferries two new double-ended giants for its Dover-Calais service has been delivered

© P&O Ferries

The second of P&O Ferries giant double-enders for its Dover-Calais service has been delivered from China's Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI). The 47,653 gt P&O LIBERTÈ is a sister to P&O PIONEER that was delivered in March this year.

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Updated: Sefine Shipyard delivered ro-pax NEREA to Sicily’s Siremar (Caronte & Tourist)

NEREA © Sefine Shipyard

Sicilian ferry operator Siremar took delivery of its 110-metre dual-fuel newbuilding ro-pax ferry NEREA from Turkey’s Sefine Shipyard. The new EUR 40 million, 8,234 gt ferry, will be deployed between Milazzo and the Aeolian Island.

NEREA can carry 800 passengers as an EU Class B navigation compliant vessel and 400 passengers as an EU Class A navigation compliant vessel. The ferry’s single vehicle deck will be able to carry 490 lanemetres of vehicles, accessed by a 10m x 10m stern ramp.

The vessel is a diesel-electric LNG hybrid ferry capable of a service speed of 16.5 knots. A 1,000 kWh battery pack and 250m2 of solar panels are also installed.

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Meyer Turku shipyard delivered the world's largest cruise ship, ICON OF THE SEAS

ICON OF THE SEAS © Meyer Turku

Meyer Turku delivered the cruise ship ICON OF THE SEAS to Royal Caribbean International. At 365-metre length and with a gross tonnage of 248,655, ICON OF THE SEAS is now the largest cruise ship in the world. ICON is Royal Caribbean’s first ship that runs on liquefied natural gas and utilizes fuel cell technology. It is also equipped with features such as shore power connections and waste heat recovery systems.

ICON OF THE SEAS in numbers:

Length: 365 m
Hull width: 48.5 m (waterline), 57.8 m (deck building), 65.8 m (bridge)
Gross tonnage: 248,655
Passengers: 7,600
Crew: 2,350
Flag State: Panama

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Irish Ferries Freight announcement of sale of freight service

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Refurbishment of Condor Ferries new CONDOR ISLANDER

Trimline completed the extensive interior rebrand of Condor Ferries‘ newly purchased CONDOR ISLANDER (formerly StraitNZ 's STRAITSMAN) during wet dock in Poole, UK. Trimline delivered the full design and build project, completely revitalizing the ferry’s interior and providing passengers with a welcoming and spacious environment, featuring premium options for Condor customers.

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Scandlines’ new zero direct emissions ferry FUTURA launched

FUTURA © Cemre Shipyard

Cemre shipyard launched Scandlines’ new zero direct emissions ferry on 25 November. The ferry which will be named FUTURA will be deployed on the Fehmarn Belt in 2024.

Data for zero direct emissions Scandlines freight ferry for the Puttgarden-Rødby route:
Length: 147.4 m
Breadth: 25.4 m
Design draft: 5.30 m
Freight capacity: 66 freight units (abt. 1,200 lane meters)
Max. number of passengers: 140
Service speed: 16/10 knots
Crossing time: 45 minutes (as of 2025)
Battery system: 10 MWh
Charging time in port: 12 minutes (as of 2025)
Investment: EUR 80m

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