With a significant number of ships set for, or nearing, completion in 2025, this will be a defining year for launches and deliveries that will shape the future of ferry operations worldwide. Shipyards and ferry operators have now turned their attention to integrating them into fleets and ensuring they deliver optimal operational performance.
One vessel poised to redefine maritime transport is Incat Tasmania’s catamaran China Zorrilla, which will be operated by South America’s Buquebús. The launch of the world’s largest battery-electric ship in May will mark a pivotal moment in maritime history, ushering in a new era of sustainable sea travel.
When China Zorrilla enters service, it will carry over 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles between Argentina and Uruguay, powered entirely by battery-electric energy. At the heart of this revolutionary vessel is an industry-leading energy storage system that will provide more than 40-megawatt-hours of power, the largest ever installed on a ship. With over 250 tonnes of batteries, the vessel represents a bold leap forward in emission-free, large-scale ferry transport. China Zorrilla, which is undergoing internal fit-out, will also feature the largest retail shopping space on any ferry in the world, spanning 2,300 square metres.
Incat Tasmania takes delivery of key equipment for Buquebús’s China Zorrilla, the world’s largest electric ferry
Australia’s TT-Line accepted delivery of the first of its two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries from Rauma Marine Constructions in September 2024. It has not been plain sailing however, and Spirit of Tasmania IV has yet to begin service on Bass Strait between Geelong and Devonport. Port infrastructure setbacks in Tasmania have postponed deployment and the ship has spent its first six months laid up in Leith as interim solutions were explored to utilise its capabilities effectively until it can commence operations. These options include chartering the ship to offset expenses and prevent it from remaining idle.
The delays in the delivery of Spirit of Tasmania IV, and the approaching completion of sister ship Spirit of Tasmania V in mid-2025, have added to the anticipation surrounding their arrival. The new ships were expected to significantly boost capacity and enhance the travel experience across Bass Strait, offering modern amenities and much improved comfort for passengers. However, the extended wait has been felt deeply by the Tasmanian community, who have eagerly anticipated the benefits these vessels will bring. With an increased capacity and tailored features, the delayed ships will ultimately provide a much-needed upgrade to the vital crossing, helping to support tourism and the local economy in the long run. The required port upgrades are expected to be finished by February 2027.
TT-Line’s Spirit of Tasmania V is expected to be completed by mid-2025 and will eventually operate on Bass Strait between Tasmania and mainland Australia
In Europe, Stena RoRo’s eleventh and twelfth E-Flexers, Saint-Malo and Guillaume de Normandie, have entered service on long-term charter with Brittany Ferries. These vessels serve the routes from Portsmouth, England, to the French ports of Caen and Saint-Malo routes, offering accommodation for 1,290 passengers and featuring 387 cabins across four decks.
As with four of the five E-Flexer ships previously delivered to Brittany Ferries, these latest vessels are equipped with multi-fuel engines and a 12-megawatt-hour battery-hybrid system. This allows the ships to operate in and out of port solely on battery power, enabling them to manoeuvre during berthing without relying on their diesel engines. The ships have a maximum speed of 23 knots, or 17.5 knots when operating on battery power alone.
Grandi Navi Veloci’s (GNV) new GNV Polaris entered service between Sicily and Sardinia in January. The first of four newbuilds by Guangzhou Shipyard International, the ship accommodates 1,500 passengers in 239 cabins.
“The delivery of this ship is a significant milestone for GNV,” says Matteo Catani, the ferry company’s CEO. “It marks the first step in our fleet modernisation project, which, through the introduction of new ships and the restyling of existing ones, will elevate our market offering and services. This will allow us to position ourselves as a carrier of excellence in the Mediterranean in the years to come.”
The second vessel in the series, GNV Orion, will not be an exact sister ship; it will feature extended accommodation, with more cabins and public spaces, increasing its capacity to 1,785 passengers in 420 cabins. The third and fourth ships, GNV Virgo and GNV Aurora, are the company’s first LNG ships and are slated for delivery in 2026.
Caledonian MacBrayne’s (CalMac) newest ferry, Glen Sannox, finally entered service earlier in January 2025 after significant build delays. Serving Scotland’s Isle of Arran, this dual-fuel vessel can carry up to 1,000 passengers and 127 cars or 16 trucks, and its arrival is a major milestone for the communities it serves, providing much-needed capacity and reliable transport after years of anticipation. The introduction of Glen Sannox is part of CalMac’s ongoing fleet renewal project, with sister ship Glen Rosa now expected by the end of the year. Both were originally planned to enter service in 2018-2019.
Another delayed CalMac vessel is Isle of Islay, originally scheduled for delivery in October 2024 but pushed out by four months due to ongoing supply chain issues beyond the shipyard’s control. Built to provide the Islay services linking Port Askaig and Port Ellen with Kennacraig on the mainland, this vessel has capacity for up to 450 passengers and 100 cars or 14 trucks.
In January, Turkey’s Özata Shipyard held a steel-cutting ceremony for Misterøy, the first of two electric ferries being built for Norwegian operator Torghatten Nord. Designed by The Norwegian Ship Design Company, Misterøy and its sister ship Fløytind will each feature a 1,960-kilowatt-hour battery. At 76.85 metres in length, both ferries will be capable of carrying 202 passengers and 60 vehicles. These zero-emission ferries are specifically designed to operate on the Festvåg–Misten route, linking Bodø and Kjerringøy in Norway. The vessels are expected to be delivered in June and September 2026, significantly enhancing sustainable transportation in the region.
Meanwhile, in the USA, contracts for a long-awaited series of new hybrid-electric car and passenger ferries for Washington State Ferries (WSF) were expected to be awarded in February 2025, with three shipyards in contention. The fleet will consist of five 1,500-passenger, 160-vehicle hybrid-electric vessels, with propulsion systems designed and supplied by ABB. WSF has indicated a preference to split the contract between two low bidders, allowing for simultaneous construction at two shipyards and accelerating delivery. If this plan is approved, the first two vessels could enter service in 2028, followed by two more in 2029 and the final vessel in 2030, significantly enhancing reliability on WSF’s Mukilteo-Clinton and Seattle-Bremerton routes.
Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania laid the keel for the first two of four 81-metre fully electric ferries for Canadian operator BC Ferries in November 2024. The keel laying ceremony marked an important milestone in the third phase of construction of the Island-class Ferries, which will bring the total number of Damen vessels in the BC Ferries fleet to 10. Currently, Damen has six fully electric ferries under contract to be constructed at the Galati yard. This includes the four Island-class ferries, which are scheduled to be operational in Canada in 2027, as well as two ferries for the City of Toronto.
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