107 Notable ferry orders up to 2031 Operator Vessel Yard Pax Del. estimate Torghatten Nord Misterøy Özata, Turkey 202 2026 Torghatten Nord Fløytind Özata, Turkey 202 September 2026 La Méridionale 2 x 180m ro-pax CMI Jinling 1,000 2027 Norled 3 x 85m ro-pax Havyard shipyard 250 2027 Attica Group E-Flexer 14 ro-pax CMI Jinling 1,500 April 2027 Attica Group E-Flexer 15 ro-pax CMI Jinling 1,500 August 2027 BC Ferries 4 x 81m double ended ro-pax Damen Shipyards, Galati 390 2027 Molslinjen 3 x 129m Battery-Electric HSC Incat Tasmania, Hobart 1,483 2027-2029 Finnlines 3 x Hansa Superstar-class ro-pax CMI Jinling 1,000 2028-2029 Washington State Ferries 3 x ro-pax Eastern Shipbuilding Group 1,500 2028+ TT-Line 1 x Green Ship 2.0 ro-pax CMI Jinling 930 2030 Gotlandsbolaget Horizon X Austal, Cebu 1,500 2028 CMAL / Northlink 2 x ro-pax Guangzhou Shipyard International 200 2029 Ferry Holdings Limited / NZ Gov 2 x ro-pax / rail Guangzhou Shipyard International 1,500 2029 MSC / GNV 4 x ro-pax Guangzhou Shipyard International 2,500 2028-2029 Grimaldi 9 x ro-pax CMI Jinling 1,100 – 2,500 2028-2030 TT-Line 1 x Green Ship 2.0 ro-pax CMI Jinling 930 2031 heavy-lift vessel Black Marlin. Now bound for South America, the world’s largest battery-electric ferry is destined to enter service for Buquebús on the River Plate between Argentina and Uruguay. Elsewhere, in Europe ferry operators are beginning to reap the benefits of major fleet renewal programmes. Corsica Linea’s new LNG-powered ro-pax Capu Rossu has entered commercial service, becoming the latest E-Flexer to join the Mediterranean fleet. Built by Stena RoRo and operating under long-term charter, the vessel combines increased freight capacity with lower emissions and improved passenger comfort on services linking Corsica with mainland France. In the Baltic, Finnlines’ next phase of fleet renewal has moved with work commencing on the first of three Hansa Superstar-class ro-pax vessels at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai. Specifically designed for the Finland-Germany route, the methanolcapable vessels will be 243 metres long, accommodate up to 1,000 passengers and provide 5,100 lane metres of freight capacity. The first ship is scheduled for delivery in spring 2028 ahead of entry into service during the summer, with the remaining two vessels due to follow between late 2028 and the first half of 2029. Together, the €500 million ($580 million) programme will further strengthen Finnlines’ freight and passenger services while introducing a new generation of lower-emission ro-pax vessels to the Baltic. TT-Line has reinforced its long-term fleet renewal strategy by confirming an order for a second Green Ship 2.0 battery-hybrid LNG ferry at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing. Joining the sister ship announced at the end of 2025, the vessels are scheduled to enter service from 2030 and will build on the success of Nils Holgersson and Peter Pan, which entered service in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Each new ferry will accommodate up to 930 passengers and provide 5,400 lane metres of freight capacity, reflecting the operator’s continued investment in high-capacity, lower-emission ro-pax tonnage. The vessels will combine LNG propulsion with a battery energy storage system of between 5.5 and 10MWh, supported by enhanced shore power capability and a future-ready electrical architecture designed to facilitate greater electrification throughout their operational lives. According to TT-Line, the battery system will enable silent, emission-free operation during port stays and manoeuvring, while improving energy efficiency and operational flexibility. Together, the sister ships represent a further step in the evolution of future-proof ferry design, combining LNG technology with a clear pathway towards fully electric operation as infrastructure and battery technology continue to develop. Estonian State Fleet has taken a significant step by signing a contract with Polish shipbuilder CRIST S.A. for the country’s first fully electric passenger ferry. Designed by LMG Marin, the 100-metre vessel will operate year-round on the Virtsu-Kuivastu route, including in winter ice conditions. Propulsion will be centred on a 3MWh battery system charged from shore, with biodiesel generators providing redundancy when required. The project represents a milestone for Estonia’s public ferry network and demonstrates the growing confidence of governments in battery-electric technology for essential transport links. In Scotland fleet renewal continues with CMAL advancing several major programmes designed to improve the resilience of lifeline ferry services.
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