Eastern delivers third Ollis-class ferry for Staten Island

Eastern delivers third Ollis-class ferry for Staten Island

(PORT ST. JOE, Fla.) — Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) has completed the third and final Ollis-class ferry for the City of New York Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) Staten Island Ferry Division. On Thursday, the ferry Dorothy Day, Hull 221, departed ESG’s Port St. Joe Shipyard with the U.S. Coast Guard certificate of inspection and the ABS class certificates in hand.…
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New funding to boost ferry service in 35 states

New funding to boost ferry service in 35 states

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHA) on Friday announced $172.2 million in fiscal year 2022 formula funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to 35 states and three territories to improve ferry service and provide more travel options. Under the Biden administration, funding for ferry service is at historic levels to support multimodal transportation services that…
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Historic ferry sinks at its berth on Columbia River

Historic ferry sinks at its berth on Columbia River

(ASTORIA, Ore.) — Tourist No. 2, a 98-year-old former passenger ferry, sank at its berth Thursday on the Columbia River in Astoria, Ore. The U.S. Coast Guard responded and has initiated an investigation into the cause of the sinking. Containment boom was deployed around the 98-foot vessel and Global Diving and Salvage was contracted to provide cleanup services. No one…
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World’s first electric fast ferry ready for service

World’s first electric fast ferry ready for service

(STAVANGER, Norway) — Medstraum, the world’s first fully electric and zero-emission fast ferry, classed as a high-speed craft, embarked this week on the journey from Fjellstrand shipyard in Norway to its new home port, Stavanger. The vessel has been built using unique modular manufacturing methods at Fjellstrand. Modularization helps cut both production costs and engineering costs and will contribute to…
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New grants aim to modernize, electrify ferry service

New grants aim to modernize, electrify ferry service

(WASHINGTON) – The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is making available nearly $300 million through three competitive grant programs that boost access to rural ferry service, bolster existing urban service, and lower emissions by speeding adoption of zero-emission ferry technologies. "Ferry service can be as important to everyday life as a highway or railway for many people across the country, whether…
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Toronto to replace ferry fleet with fully electric vessels

Toronto to replace ferry fleet with fully electric vessels

(TORONTO) — A new city staff report, recommending a plan to replace Toronto’s current aging fleet of ferries with fully electric vessels, was considered by the General Government and Licensing Committee and adopted without amendment on Jan. 14. This shift to full electrification supports the city’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy and commitment to accelerate climate action to achieve net-zero citywide…
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Seastreak newcomer pushing through dip in demand

Seastreak newcomer pushing through dip in demand

Two years ago, Seastreak LLC took delivery of Seastreak Commodore, a 600-passenger fast ferry, from Gulf Craft of Franklin, La. Designed by Australia-based Incat Crowther, the vessel is the largest of its kind in the United States and was built to meet the burgeoning demand for service in the New York-New Jersey market. Then COVID-19 arrived and passenger traffic took…
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COVID-19 brings uncertainty, fresh  challenges for American shipbuilders

COVID-19 brings uncertainty, fresh challenges for American shipbuilders

U.S. shipbuilders responded with characteristic resolve when the COVID-19 pandemic reached North American shores. Workers adapted to new safety protocols and managers overcame supply chain hiccups to keep projects moving forward. But many of these shipyards now face another challenge altogether: Finding new work to keep their yards humming. “We are getting through it, but we are not through it…
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