FerryIntel Weekly Briefing No. 5
2 – 9 November 2026
Issued
This week
Public ferry systems in this issue are putting a new ship to work and, in the same days, living with a vessel and a booking project that are not. The Maine State Ferry Service commissioned its first hybrid, the Capt. Almer Dinsmore, on 5 November for Rockland–Vinalhaven, with passenger service scheduled to begin on 9 November. Kitsap Transit’s Annapolis–Bremerton foot ferry remains suspended indefinitely after a battery on M/V Waterman was found damaged beyond repair, and the agency is working to have Carlisle II available in December. The Massachusetts inspector general has questioned delays in the Steamship Authority reservation project: Ted Gavin said the authority has spent a little more than $2 million and has not gone over the $5.5 million allocated. Washington State Ferries completed 98.5% of 2,850 scheduled sailings in the week of 26 October to 1 November. BC Ferries is offering free passenger travel for military members and cadets on 8 and 11 November, outside the Inside Passage, Haida Gwaii and Central Coast Connector.
Elsewhere, operators are fixing next year’s capacity while one new ship is still under investigation. Colonia Express is preparing a direct Buenos Aires–Montevideo service on Montevideo Express, for 600 passengers and 70 vehicles, and the start still depends on the port of Montevideo. Tallink Silja Line will run 16 special cruises to Visby in summer 2027, twice as many as this year, plus three to Riga, all on Victoria I. Fred. Olsen Express moved 1,010,000 tonnes of freight from January to October, up 2% on 2025. Trafikverket has tendered a yard overhaul of road ferry Lina, with an estimated value of SEK 1800000. The ATSB has widened its steering investigation to Spirit of Tasmania IV’s voyage on 5 November, after TT-Line told a parliamentary committee that the primary steering system failed and the ship moved to the backup.
Maine State Ferry Service commissions hybrid ferry Capt. Almer Dinsmore
Newbuilds & Orders ·
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.
Kitsap Transit keeps the Annapolis ferry suspended after a Waterman battery fails
Routes & Operators ·
Kitsap Transit said on 6 November 2026 that the Annapolis–Bremerton foot ferry remains suspended indefinitely after a battery on M/V Waterman was found damaged beyond repair. The agency is working to have Carlisle II available in December and is looking for a vessel to charter.
Read on FerryIntel · Source: Kitsap Transit (opens in a new tab)
Colonia Express prepares a direct Buenos Aires–Montevideo ferry
Routes & Operators ·
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.
Tallink Silja Line doubles its 2027 special cruises to Visby
Routes & Operators ·
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.
Fred. Olsen Express moved 1,010,000 tonnes of freight in ten months
Routes & Operators ·
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.
ATSB widens the Spirit of Tasmania steering investigation to Spirit IV
Safety ·
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.
Trafikverket tenders a yard overhaul for road ferry Lina
Tenders ·
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.
Read on FerryIntel · Source: Tenders Electronic Daily (opens in a new tab)
Inspector general questions the Steamship Authority reservation project
Routes & Operators ·
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.
Read on FerryIntel · Source: The Vineyard Gazette (opens in a new tab)
Washington State Ferries completed 98.5% of sailings in the week to 1 November
Routes & Operators ·
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.
Read on FerryIntel · Source: Washington State Ferries (opens in a new tab)
BC Ferries offers free Remembrance Day travel for military members
Routes & Operators ·
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.
Read on FerryIntel · Source: BC Ferries (opens in a new tab)