Different Types of Ferries Used in the Shipping World (2024)

FAQs

How many ferries are there in the world? ›

Overall, there were 4,428 passenger ships in the world merchant fleet in 2017, some 1,350 of which were pure passenger ferries.

Ferries are vessels of any size that carry passengers and (in many cases) their vehicles on fixed routes over short cross-water passages. The building of massive bridges and tunnels has eliminated many ferry services, but they are still justified where waters are too formidable for fixed crossings.

Ferries can range from small boats carrying passengers across a harbour, lake or river, to large sea-going ships carrying passengers, cars, trucks and other heavy cargo across longer distances where overnight sleeping accommodations are required.

In terms of gross tonnage, the largest ferry in the world is the 75,156-ton Color Magic, built by Aker Finnyards of Finland, and operated by Color Line on the route between Oslo in Norway and Kiel in Germany.

A high-speed craft (HSC) is a high-speed water vessel for civilian use, also called a fastcraft or fast ferry.

What is the difference between a freight and passenger booking? A1. Generally if you are travelling for commercial purposes or carrying commercial goods, your vehicle must travel as freight. Please note: ferry operators periodically carry out spot checks at the port, on arrival.

Keel. The keel is the bottom-most structural member around which the hull of a ship is built.

Cabin – A room inside the boat, which can refer to the entire interior or just one room designed for sleeping.

Bow : Front of a boat. Stern : Rear of a boat.

Is A ferry a boat or a ship? ›

A ship is large enough to have boats hanging along its sides. However, ferries are always boats but nowadays are often as large as cruise ships and carry lifeboats.

The size is also a difference: Cruise ships are typically much larger than ferries, with more cabins and facilities to accommodate a larger number of passengers. Ferries are generally smaller and more compact, designed for shorter journeys with fewer passengers.

Boat= A small waterborne vessel. If the vessel is small enough to be carried on a ship it is a boat. Anything larger is a ship. Ferry = A waterborne vessel (boat or ship) that carries passengers and sometimes cargo and/or vehicles from one port/place to another.

THE FERRY. Western Port Ferries standard Ferry service, MV Naturaliste, offers excellent facilities including disabled toilets and easy boarding for passengers with special needs. The Lounge Deck on the MV Naturaliste has full length viewing windows and a range of seating areas.

There are nearly 500 terminals in 37 States and 3 U.S. territories. The country's fleet consists of almost 700 active vessels, ranging in capacity from carrying as many as 6,000 passengers to as few as 2. Services are available on nearly 350 route segments, covering 7,877 nautical route miles (14,588 kilometers).

Washington State Ferries operates the largest ferry system in the United States, with 21 ferries that travel across Puget Sound and the greater Salish Sea.

Staten Island Ferry

George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island in New York City. In operation 24/7 and 365 days a year, it is the busiest ferry route in the United States by passenger volume—carrying 22 million people annually with an average weekday ridership of 70,000.

Size: Cruise ships are generally much larger than ferries. They can be hundreds of meters long and have multiple decks and facilities such as restaurants, bars, swimming pools, and entertainment venues. Ferries are usually smaller and have fewer amenities.