The passenger vessel industry is trending toward cleaner fuels that has impacted design of new vessels, as has the increased movement towards digitalization and more automated operations.
Among notes: Louisiana is set to launch a new ferry service with a nearly $41M low-interest loan assist from the US Department of Transportation. Two new Elliott Bay Design Group-designed 190-foot ferries will be built in Houma, La., by Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors for an anticipated completion date in mid-2025, replacing the Cameron II, which was built in 1964. The two vessels will use battery-powered electric thrusters, which can be upgraded to fully electric in the future.
The offshore wind activities are creating demand for crew transfer vessels (CTVs), cousins to passenger craft. Three Incat Crowther-designed CTVs are being built for WINDEA CTV - a joint venture between MidOcean Win, Hornblower Group and Ems Maritime Offshore - including two at St Johns Ship Building in Florida and another at Gulf Craft in Louisiana.
In the overnight sector, river and coastal cruise vessels have benefited greatly as travelers are staying closer to home. American Cruise Lines continues to expand. Its new-build American Symphony began Mississippi River excursions in late 2022. Its American Serenade, the fifth in a series of 175 passenger ships, is to begin cruises on the Lower Mississippi River this Spring.
Catamaran vessels are described as versatile, which will enable them to run almost anywhere. Viking Cruise Lines’ Viking Mississippi, delivered in 2022 from Edison Chouest’s LaShip shipyard in Houma, La., is now active on its namesake river, breaking from the tradition of Mississippi paddle-wheelers. (Marine Link 02/19/23) 2023 Shipbuilding Report: US Passenger Vessels (marinelink.com)
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