Short notes for ferry and ro-pax operators, shipyards, suppliers, ports, and investors. Each item links its source.
WorkBoat reported on 6 November 2026 that the Maine State Ferry Service commissioned its first hybrid diesel-electric ferry, the Capt. Almer Dinsmore, on 5 November in Rockland for the Rockland–Vinalhaven route. The 154 ft by 38 ft ferry carries 250 passengers and 23 vehicles. Passenger service is scheduled to begin on 9 November.
Shippax reported on 6 November 2026, citing Ladevi’s report of 4 November, that Colonia Express is preparing a direct Buenos Aires–Montevideo service with Montevideo Express. The ship would carry 600 passengers and 70 vehicles. The start still depends on the port of Montevideo.
Shippax reported on 6 November 2026 that Tallink Silja Line will run 16 special cruises to Visby in summer 2027, twice as many as this year, plus three to Riga. All are on Victoria I. Tallink’s English press list times the release at 10:00 on 4 November 2026.
Shippax reported on 6 November 2026 that Fred. Olsen Express transported 1,010,000 tonnes of freight from January to October 2026, up 2% on the same period in 2025. Freight volume was 1.45 million lane metres, up 4%. Breñas Cargo, added in July 2025, carries up to 1,500 lane metres and 7,000 tonnes.
ABC News reported on 6 November 2026 that the ATSB has expanded its steering investigation to include Spirit of Tasmania IV’s 5 November voyage. TT-Line told a parliamentary committee the primary steering system failed and the ship moved to the backup. Spirit IV resumed service overnight.
Notice 773679-2026, published on 6 November 2026, is an open procedure from Trafikverket for a yard overhaul of road ferry VF319/Lina. The estimated value is SEK 1800000. Tenders are due at 23:59 (UTC+1) on 6 December 2026.
Notice 774930-2026, published on 6 November 2026, is an open procedure from Trafikverket for a yard overhaul of road ferry VF331/Elvira. The estimated value is SEK 2200000. Tenders are due at 23:59 (UTC+1) on 6 December 2026.
Notice 771707-2026, published on 6 November 2026, is an open procedure for a passenger ferry and light cargo service between Sherkin Island and Baltimore Harbour, Co. Cork. The estimated value is EUR 1016903.73. The contract period is 48 months. Tenders are due at 13:00 UTC on 4 December 2026.
The Vineyard Gazette reported on 5 November 2026 that Massachusetts inspector general Jeffrey Shapiro, in a letter of 6 October, raised concerns about delays in the Steamship Authority’s new reservation system. Ted Gavin said the authority has spent a little more than $2 million and has not gone over the $5.5 million allocated.
The Washington State Ferries weekly update of 5 November 2026 says the system completed 98.5% of 2,850 scheduled sailings in the week of 26 October to 1 November, with 50 cancellations. On 11 November, operating ferries will sound their whistles at 11:11 a.m. A cabin-colour survey for the new ferries is open through 30 November.
Shippax reported on 5 November 2026 that the Tuscany regional government aims to bring a new contract for ferry services to the Tuscan Archipelago into force on 1 January 2027. Toremar was the sole bidder. The estimated value is EUR 789 million, including anticipated ticket revenue, and the final award is still pending a fuel-cost assessment.
Financial News reported on 5 November 2026 that Queen Jenuvia returns to the Mokpo–Jeju route on 7 November after a routine inspection from 28 May through 6 November. The 27,391-ton ship carries 1,284 passengers and is 170 metres long. It is scheduled to leave Mokpo at 1 a.m.
ABC News reported that Spirit of Tasmania IV docked in Geelong four hours late on 5 November 2026 after the master found a fault while preparing to transit Port Phillip Heads. A tug came from Geelong to escort the ship. The ATSB is investigating a similar autopilot steering problem on Spirit of Tasmania V from a trial voyage on 26 October.
Notice 769967-2026, published on 5 November 2026, is an open procedure from Trafikverket for a yard overhaul with engine replacement on road ferries VF 341/Pluto and VF 340/Venus. The estimated value is SEK 33200000. Tenders are due at 23:59 (UTC+1) on 3 December 2026.
BC Ferries’ release of 5 November 2026 says active, reserve and retired military personnel and cadets can travel free as passengers on 8 and 11 November. The free fares do not apply on the Inside Passage, Haida Gwaii or Central Coast Connector. At 11 a.m. on 11 November the company will hold two minutes of silence.
DFDS investor news no. 32, published on 4 November 2026, says Liezel du Toit joins on 1 December 2026 as chief transformation officer and a member of the executive management team. She is currently global head of product and customer experience at APM Terminals. Chief executive Michael Hansen said transformation will be key as DFDS executes its updated strategy.
ANTARA reported on 4 November 2026 that Basarnas has ended its 53-day search for victims of the Virgo Transport 8 accident in the Java Sea. Search teams had found 190 people, 108 survivors and 82 dead. Fifty-three of the 243 people aboard are still missing.
Shipping Italy reported on 4 November 2026 that the regular Civitavecchia–Termini Imerese ferry stops with that day’s departure of GNV Spirit. GNV said it will strengthen Naples–Termini Imerese with a daily service in both directions. Daytime departures from Naples are at 13:30, Monday to Saturday.
Channel 103 reported on 4 November 2026 that Stena Vinga has served Jersey for the last time before a change of ownership and a rebrand. DFDS now owns the ferry and is painting it in the company’s livery. Cote D'Albatre is covering the Portsmouth route until the ship returns later this month as Corbiere Seaways.
The Steamship Authority said on 4 November 2026 that general manager Alex Kryska and senior leaders will hold community conversations in Falmouth, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket this month. Topics include the True North reservation system, the last phase of the Woods Hole terminal, the 2027 operating budget, and 2026 traffic and finances.
Portal Morski reported on 4 November 2026 that POLSCA spokeswoman Sylwia Turkiewicz said Bursztyn Unity’s first planned passenger sailing is at 13:00 on 18 November from Ystad. The ferry is due in Szczecin on 9 November for a christening at 11:00 on 11 November. She said inspections for permission to raise the Polish flag are still under way.
The Vineyard Gazette reported on 3 November 2026 that the Steamship Authority port council voted to recommend fare increases for next year. Treasurer Mark Rozum said that without a rate adjustment net income would be approximately $150,000. Adult passenger tickets would rise by 50 cents. The governing board is expected to take the recommendations up on 17 November.
The Vineyard Gazette reported on 3 November 2026 that the Steamship Authority ferry Woods Hole went to dry dock after monofilament fishing line wrapped a seal on its bow thruster. Engineering director Zachary Lawrence said the ship was at Thames Shipyard in New London on 26 October and back in the water on 29 October.
Shippax reported on 3 November 2026 that vice president Anders Refsgaard has decided to leave DFDS after 23 years. He said the decision was his own and that he would remain until the end of March 2027. For most of his time at DFDS he had a central role in its Baltic business and RoPax routes.
Viking Line said on 3 November 2026 that it and TT-Line will deploy Huckleberry Finn on the new Vuosaari–Muuga service. The 1A ice class ship, jointly owned in equal shares, has 2240 lane meters and space for 400 passengers. Service is to start in the first quarter of 2027.
Valmet said on 3 November 2026 that TT-Line has selected it to supply marine automation for two Green Ship 2.0 ferries being built at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard. The 240-meter ships are designed to carry 1,000 people, with LNG-hybrid propulsion, batteries and shore power. The order value is not disclosed.
The Port of Gothenburg said on 3 November 2026 that intra-European ro/ro traffic in January–September was 405,000 units, up 2% on 396,000 a year earlier. Passengers were 1,140,000, against 1,146,000. New cars were 197,000, up 14% on 172,000.
Tallink Grupp’s company announcement of 3 November 2026 says the group transported 476,580 passengers in October 2026, 2.0% more than in October 2025. Cargo units rose 5.6% to 23,089. Passenger vehicles fell 5.6% to 54,735.
Notice 761890-2026, published on 3 November 2026, is an open procedure to adapt the Vistula ferry crossing at Solec Kujawski and Czarnowo to river levels. The ship is the passenger and vehicle ferry Flisak, registration BG-01-200. Tenders are due at 09:00 (UTC+1) on 9 December 2026, and the stated duration is 6 months.
Azernews reported on 2 November 2026, citing Azerbaijan Railways, that AZCON and Samruk-Kazyna signed a framework for the Caspian Bridge, also known as the Super Ferry project. It envisages high-capacity ferries on regular cargo services between Alat and Kuryk. A second document covers an intermodal terminal at Baku International Sea Port.
India Today NE reported that Barpeta district has restricted all departmental and private ferry and boat services after 4 PM daily, after a boat collision at Bohori Ghat. District Commissioner Nabadeep Pathak issued the order under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. A total of 15 people sustained minor injuries. No deaths or property damage were reported.
Hankyu Ferry’s English notice of 2 November 2026 extends the maintenance suspension of Yamato on the Shinmoji–Kobe route from 6 October 2026 through 6 June 2027. The schedule after 7 June 2027 is undecided. Cancellation fees are waived for reservations made until 7 December 2026.
The Steamship Authority said on 2 November 2026 that qualified veterans who live in its port communities can buy passenger tickets at the senior discount, year-round. The authority describes that discount as approximately half off on its conventional ferries and approximately 25% off on the Hyannis–Nantucket high-speed ferry. Veterans with a valid military ID travel free as passengers on Veterans Day, 11 November 2026.
Merseytravel said on 2 November 2026 that the £26m Royal Daffodil officially enters service, starting on Tuesday 3 November. The ferry will run morning and evening commuter services, the Liverpool Sightseeing Cruise and evening cruises. It was built at the APCL Balaena shipyard in Birkenhead.
Notice 757715-2026, published on 2 November 2026, is an open procedure for the ferry crossing on regional road no. 138 between Muszkowo and Gubin at Połęcko. The buyer is Województwo Lubuskie – Zarząd Dróg Wojewódzkich in Zielona Góra. Tenders are due at 10:00 (UTC+1) on 2 December 2026. The contract runs from 1 February 2027 to 31 January 2031.
Notice 759287-2026, published on 2 November 2026, modifies the road-ferry contract Maantielauttaliikennepalvelu Saaristomeri I, signed with Suomen Lauttaliikenne Oy on 25 November 2019. The notice records a tender value of EUR 12200000. Service at the 13 places is to continue until a new contract starts in 2029, and the modified term runs from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028.
The Alaska Marine Highway System said on 2 November 2026 that M/V Columbia is out of service in Ketchikan for repairs to its port main engine. A cylinder liner and piston are required. The ship is scheduled to return to revenue service on Sunday, 8 November 2026, departing northbound from Ketchikan.
Shippax reported that Hoiyu International Group has sold the 1976-built RoPax ferry ELPIS to Singapore cash buyer GR Shipping. The ship, renamed PISA, is still in Penang. She ran as a casino ship from Penang from March 2026 until the operation ceased in mid-October.
Shippax reported that Igoumenitsa Port Authority has secured funding for a battery energy storage system under Greece’s programme “Energy Storage Systems for Businesses – Go Beyond Solar Battery.” The investment budget is approximately EUR 981,000. The system is expected to complement the port’s 1.5 MW photovoltaic park.
The Inquirer reported that Marina has suspended the passenger ship safety certificates of motor banca Rose Marie 1 and passenger vessel MV OceanJet 788 after incidents on Saturday. OceanJet 788 lost reverse propulsion while docking at Tagbilaran. All seven crew on Rose Marie 1 survived.
Pulse Tasmania reported that the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries carried their first paying passengers across Bass Strait. Pulse joined the sailing that left Geelong for Devonport on Saturday night, with the premier and the infrastructure minister on board. The ships have entered service.
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group says Scillonian IV left Vietnam at 06:00 local time (23:00 UK time) on 31 October 2026. The 75m ferry, with capacity for 600 passengers, is on a two-month voyage from Ho Chi Minh City via the Cape of Good Hope and is due to enter service in March 2027.
Source: Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (opens in a new tab)
B.C. Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson told Global News the incoming government will look at BC Ferries' contract for new ferries at a Chinese shipyard. BC Ferries chose Weihai Shipyards to build four new Summit-class hybrid-electric ferries, with the first delivery expected in 2029, and said no Canadian shipyard bid. A study last year found that building the four ferries in B.C. would have generated an additional $1.5 billion in economic activity, most of it in B.C.
VOCM reported on 30 October 2026 that Marine Atlantic's Île Rouge is undergoing sea trials and is expected to join the Gulf ferry service in the next few weeks. The vessel is being leased from Stena for five years and most recently served between Marseille and Corsica. It will replace Leif Erikson on the Gulf run.
CBC News reported that the humpback Notcho, struck by a BC Ferries vessel, has been towed to the Squamish Nation village of Xwemelch’stn for a cultural ceremony. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard moved the whale from West Bay near Gambier Island. A necropsy is underway, and results are expected to take months.
MARINA suspended the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate of MV Virgen de Peñafrancia II on 30 October 2026 after the Starhorse Shipping Lines ferry took a severe list at the Port of Real, Quezon. The authority’s initial report says a mooring line snapped at around 12:25 a.m., three passengers were injured, and no fatalities were recorded. The ship is barred from operating until a safety inspection is complete.
eKathimerini reported on 30 October 2026 that ships remained docked at seven ports as three seafarers’ unions held a nationwide 24-hour strike. The walkout affects Piraeus, Rafina, Lavrio, Patra, Igoumenitsa, Elefsina and Rio-Antirrio. The unions’ demands include a 12% pay increase under collective labor agreements.
Notice 755059-2026, published on 30 October 2026, is a contract award for Lot 11, Courant de quai, in the modernisation of the ferry terminal at Naye in Saint-Malo. SEMBREIZH, acting in the name and on behalf of the Brittany region, awarded it to EIFFAGE ENERGIE SYSTEMES - AUTOMATION DEFENSE SYSTEMES. The tender value is EUR 1447839, and the stated duration is 24 months.
MOL Sunflower said on 30 October 2026 that vehicle freight fares on the Hokkaido route between Oarai and Tomakomai will be revised from sailings departing on 2 January 2027. The notice sets the change at about 7 per cent compared with current rates.
Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Minister Vasilis Kikilias confirmed on Thursday that the government intends to introduce additional support so Greek ferry companies can cope with the higher cost of marine fuel. He said the size and form will be announced in the next few days. On an earlier intervention, he said fare hikes had been contained to 15%, which the sector had announced were pending.
The Vineyard Gazette reported on 29 October 2026 that the Steamship Authority is looking for an outside company to assess its new reservation system. The authority hired the Italian firm E-Dea last year for $5.7 million. A partial rollout for the Nantucket fast ferry is now estimated for February, with the programs live by November 2027, and a delay could bring a little more than $800,000 in additional cost.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has contracted Derecktor Shipyards to build a 70' catamaran ferry for Sapelo Island. WorkBoat reported on 29 October 2026 that the 150-passenger vessel, designed by Chartwell Marine, is to be built at Dania Beach, Florida, with construction scheduled to begin before year-end. It will run between Meridian Dock and Marsh Landing Dock, and the existing state ferry will be kept as a reserve.
ABB said on 29 October 2026 that Washington State Ferries has issued a notice to proceed for an integrated power and propulsion system on a third hybrid-electric newbuild. The system includes a 13.2-megawatt-hour energy storage system designed for all-electric operation on short routes and in port. The step takes ABB from two vessels to three, inside a plan for up to 16 new hybrid electric ferries by 2040.
Washington State Ferries has postponed the winter vehicle-reservation release to 10 November at 10 a.m. The delay is so reservations reflect terminal closures in the San Juans and at Coupeville in February and March, while vehicle transfer spans are upgraded.
Washington State Ferries says the U.S. Maritime Administration has named it a 2026 Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education. Since 2022 the system has hired and trained 324 ordinary seafarers, 140 wipers and oilers, and 345 terminal attendants. It reports a 93% employee retention rate and a 98.9% training completion rate.
Novi list reported on 29 October 2026 that Jadrolinija chairman Robert Blažinović said the company will very probably publish tenders by the end of this year for four ferries and three electric ships. He also expects a signed construction contract for a replacement Postira by year-end, after a call for final offers on 16 October 2026.
Stephen Flynn, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, has accepted a February 2027 handover for MV Glen Rosa. His letter of 29 October 2026 says the ship remains capable of delivery in the fourth quarter under Ferguson Marine’s plan, and that replacement propeller blades from Wärtsilä will be fitted at a dry-docking in January. The revised plans still have the ship entering service in early 2027.
BC Ferries said on 29 October 2026 that it has a Species at Risk Act section 11 conservation agreement with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada. An underwater radiated noise plan aims at a 50% reduction from BC Ferries vessels in Southern Resident killer whale critical habitat, compared with 2019, by 2036.
Liverpool City Region deputy mayor Graham Morgan said he would press Merseytravel for an update on when Mersey Ferries passenger services resume. The BBC reported that Mersey Ferries has said Snowdrop would be out of action for several more weeks because of an ongoing mechanical issue with its engine. The last passenger service operated on 10 October.
Hydroniq Coolers has delivered a ready-to-install Rack seawater cooler for the first of Washington State Ferries' new hybrid-electric ferries, under construction at Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Florida. Hydroniq is a subcontractor to W&O Supply, which the yard has contracted to deliver the complete marine cooling system. CEO Inge Bøen said this is the first time the company has delivered a seawater cooling system four years prior to the vessel delivery date.
Polferries' Gdansk–Nynäshamn service will move from the ferry terminal in Nynäshamn to Stockholm Norvik Port on 8–9 November. Camilla Strümpel of Ports of Stockholm told Nynäshamns Posten the move had been planned for September and was postponed because glazing for the passenger check-in booths at Norvik was late.
Brittany Ferries carried 102,094 passengers between Saint-Malo and Guernsey from November 2025 to September 2026, which the company said is 56.5% more than in the same period of 2024. That is 36,852 more passengers than in 2024, the last year Condor Ferries operated the route.
Transdev says Styrsöbolaget has been awarded the traffic in Gothenburg's southern archipelago for the coming 15 years. The contract runs from December 2028, covers three lines, and is worth about 3,200 million kronor. About 2.3 million passengers a year use the ships.
CBC News reported that a dead humpback found floating in Howe Sound is the whale a BC Ferries vessel struck on 18 October, according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Passengers felt the collision on the Queen of Surrey between Langdale Terminal and Horseshoe Bay. The Canadian Pacific Humpback Collaboration identified the whale as Notcho (BCX1700), and DFO confirmed that identification.
Notice 748628-2026, published on 28 October 2026, invites requests to participate in a main contract to upgrade Halsskov Havn and Knudshoved Havn. A/S Storebælt says the harbours are to be rebuilt so that, after a mobilisation period of four weeks, ferries can be put into service between them. Requests to participate are due at 09:00 UTC on 26 November 2026.
Notice 748272-2026, published on 28 October 2026, awards class-maintenance services for RFI's ferry fleet to RINA Services S.p.A. The notice gives the tender value as EUR 633,200.00 and the estimated value of the procedure as EUR 844,244.86. The duration is 48 months.
Maldives Port Development has invited proposals for one fibreglass monohull passenger ferry with a minimum capacity of 150 persons, including crew. Clarifications are due at 14:00 on 2 November 2026, and proposals at 14:00 on 7 November 2026. The notice was published on 28 October 2026.
The Marin Independent Journal reported that Golden Gate Ferry has four vessels out of service, and that the fleet has seven vessels. The M.V. Napa, which can carry up to 450 passengers, was removed on 18 October after an engine failure, and disruptions began the next day. The M.V. Del Norte, the Golden Gate and the M.S. San Francisco were already drydocked.
CalMac Ferries made a pre-tax profit of GBP 2.15 million in the year to 31 March 2026, down from GBP 5.7 million, on revenue of GBP 365.1 million. Contractual reliability fell to 95.6%, and actual reliability, including weather, fell to 90.3%.
A Color Line ferry was hit by three large waves on the Sandefjord–Strömstad crossing on 26 October. Sales manager Nina Moland Andersen told VG that a few passengers and crew suffered minor injuries and that no one was seriously hurt. Telemarksavisa reports four confirmed injured.
Wanggami, the first of SeaLink's two new Kangaroo Island ferries, went into service on 27 October, leaving Penneshaw at 5.30am for Cape Jervis. A SeaLink spokesperson said the crossing was smooth. The ship is 60 metres long and 20 metres wide.
The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands has published notice 744086-2026 for technical assistance on the passenger terminals for ferries and cruises at Palma's Poniente-Peraires quays. The estimated value is EUR 431,904.94, the term is 12 months, and tenders must be received by 14:00 (UTC+1) on 2 November 2026.
Havila Voyages is putting planned investments for the next Bergen–Kirkenes coastal route contract on hold. The Norwegian government has proposed cutting that contract from ten years to four–five years after 2030. The work on hold includes modifications so the ships can handle private cars at all ports.
Tasmania's premier and transport minister opened Spirit Quay at East Devonport on 22 October, the new berth for Spirit of Tasmania IV and V. The ships run freight-only until 31 October, when they make their first passenger crossings. The berth's gantry is 740 tonnes, 27 metres high and 38 metres wide.
Stena AB, owner of Stena Line, has agreed to acquire Color Line from Olav Nils Sunde and his family, subject to regulatory approval. Stena Rederi AB will buy all the shares in Color Group AS. The parties have agreed not to disclose the value, and completion is expected towards the end of Q1 or during Q2 2027.
Molslinjen has signed a contract with HSM Industri for a passenger boarding system at Sjællands Odde, on the Kattegat route from Aarhus. HSM Industri will design, build, deliver and install it, and the installation is expected to be completed in 2028. The route is to receive three fully electric high-speed catamarans from Incat by 2029.
BC Ferries' board has appointed Brian Anderson, vice-president of strategy and planning, interim chief executive with immediate effect, and has launched a Revitalization Review. Executive vice-president and chief financial officer Dallyn Willis will lead the review. A search for a permanent chief executive will follow.
ASCO said on 26 October 2026 that its ferries carried 32,380 trucks and vehicles in January–September 2026, up 12% from 28,847 units in the first nine months of last year. Tonnage was 837,557 tons, against 725,966 tons in the same period of 2025, an increase of 15%. Transit transport reached 776,744 tons, exceeding last year by 11%.
Source: Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (opens in a new tab)
Sjöfartstidningen reports that the archipelago boat Vaxö, with 22 passengers, collided with a 126-metre tanker off Gåshaga on Lidingö at about 18:30 on Friday 23 October. No passengers or crew were injured, and neither vessel was damaged below the waterline. Vaxö had damage to the bow, reached Stockholm under its own power, and was taken out of service.
Jadrolinija announced that sailings with Dalmacija are cancelled until 5 January 2027 because of ongoing technical problems. Passengers with bookings will be compensated.
Astilleros Armón floated out ESPAÑA 2030, the first of two battery-electric fast catamarans for Baleària, in Gijón on 24 October. The 87-metre ship is built for the Tarifa–Tangier route and is due to enter service in summer 2027 after dock and sea trials.
