98 FERRY ORDER BOOK TT-Line has signed a contract with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard for the construction of a new Green Ro-Pax Ferry 2.0. The newbuild LNG-hybrid is expected to be approximately 240 metres in length and cater for around 1,000 passengers, while providing significant freight capacity for Baltic operations. The vessel will combine LNG propulsion with hybrid energy systems, lowering emissions and improving operational efficiency compared with previous generations of tonnage. The contract reflects TT-Line’s continued investment in modern, fuel-efficient vessels as operators across Northern Europe focus on balancing environmental performance with freight and passenger capacity. The Sicilian Region is also expected to exercise an option with Fincantieri for a second ro-pax ferry, following the ongoing construction of the 14,000gt Costanza I di Sicilia at its Palermo shipyard. Delivery is currently scheduled for 2026. The dual-fuel LNG vessel is designed to carry around 1,000 passengers and 200 cars and is intended for service linking Sicily with Lampedusa and Pantelleria in Italy. Meanwhile in Scotland, Caledonian MacBrayne’s new ro-pax Isle of Islay has completed her delivery voyage to Scotland from the Cemre Shipyard in Turkey. Next in line is sister vessel Loch Indaal and, from same build programme, Claymore and Lochmor. The arrival marks a major milestone in the operator’s investment programme, increasing capacity on the Islay routes while improving comfort, efficiency and reliability. The vessels incorporate hybrid propulsion technology and modern passenger facilities. Alongside ongoing progress toward delivery of Glen Rosa at the Ferguson Marine yard in Scotland, the new tonnage is expected to play a key role in strengthening fleet resilience across the Clyde and Hebrides network. Public ferry procurement pipelines continue to expand in North America. Washington State Ferries has progressed evaluation of proposals for a further three newbuild ferries, building on its hybrid-electric fleet renewal programme. Further north, the State of Alaska has issued a tender for a replacement vessel for the veteran Tustumena, one of the longest-serving ships in the Alaska Marine Highway System fleet. The replacement programme is expected to focus on improving reliability while maintaining capability across Alaska’s challenging operating environment. In the Canadian market, Damen Shipyards Galati launched the ninth Island-class ferry for BC Ferries in November. The ship is part of an order for four vessels, which will join six Island-class ferries that Damen previously delivered in providing services along the British Columbian coast. The latest Island-class vessels are being prepared to operate on electrical energy once shoreside infrastructure is in place in the future. Damen and BC Ferries have also taken a series of underwater radiated noise measurements, the results of which have gone into making the next generation of vessels quieter, to the benefit of marine mammals. Photo: Incat Tasmania Buquebús’s China Zorrilla, the largest fully electric ship ever constructed, successfully completed sea trials near Incat Tasmania’s shipyard in December 2025
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