As you will see from our extensive list of vessel reviews, the passenger vessel sector remains very strong despite global and local disruptions across the world.
Naval architecture in this industry especially continues to impress, with new innovations appearing almost every time we run this monthly feature. This is true for both the wide array of general purpose vessels and the increasing numbers of ships and boats with highly specific roles and operating conditions.
Fuel efficiency, comfort and safety are now minimum expectations in almost every region, and every new cohort of deliveries rises to meet and often exceed these standards.
As traffic congestion worsens in growing cities across the globe, the market for new short-length ferry routes in large cities is becoming increasingly viable, providing less stressful and often quicker alternatives to driving for more and more commuters. The Ro-Pax sector is also benefiting as an alternative to road freight.
Keep checking back daily for an excellent overview of the latest developments in the global passenger vessel market, as this landing page fills out with news, opinion, gear and vessel reviews.
– "Following an excellent performance in 2020 when the global ferry fatality toll was the lowest since the Baird Maritime Passenger Vessel Accident database commenced in 1966, there have, tragically, been more than five times as many deaths in 2021."
– by Dr Neil Baird, Co-Founder and former Editor-in-Chief of Baird Maritime.
– "French Polynesia is a remote and unique place as far as shipping requirements are concerned. With a small population spread over a vast area of sea, it requires very special craft to service it effectively."
– "Finely finished and fitted with the best of everything, these vessels clearly show why Brodrene Aa continues to dominate the passenger-only fast ferry market."
– "Teknicraft provides real refinement for passenger catamarans."
– "This fascinating and very impressive new vessel has been designed and built especially for service in the somewhat mysterious Caspian Sea."
– This very impressively rugged and versatile new ship will serve its owners and the people of the Sakhalin and Kurile islands very well.
– "This is a durable, rugged steel/aluminium composite catamaran built for the rough and tumble of tourist excursions on China's very busy Pearl River."
Remember to come back every day to see the latest news, opinion and vessel reviews!
Any news or views about the global maritime tourism, ferry and cruise industries? Send it through to editor@bairdmaritime.com ASAP (between now and April 15), so we can add it to this current edition of Passenger Vessel Week!
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