Newbuilds & Orders
Louisiana dedicates new ferry Holly Beach for the Cameron crossing
Louisiana's transport department has dedicated the Holly Beach, the first of two new end-loading ferries built by Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors to replace the 1964-built Cameron II on the Calcasieu Ship Channel crossing; the second vessel, Cameron, is due in late November.
Source: Louisiana DOTD (opens in a new tab)
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development dedicated the ferry Holly Beach on 14 October 2026. She is the first of two new boats for the Cameron crossing of the Calcasieu Ship Channel in Cameron Parish.
The two vessels, Holly Beach and Cameron, are part of a $49.7 million project and will replace the Cameron II, which has been in service since 1964. Each measures 190 by 50 by 13 feet.
According to the department, when the Cameron II is out of service a temporary side-loading ferry is used, which cannot carry trucks longer than 50 feet, forcing them on a detour of about 100 miles. The new end-loading boats are meant to keep large commercial vehicles moving and to support hurricane evacuations.
The builder is Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors of Houma, Louisiana. The second vessel, Cameron, is expected to be completed in late November.