Page 16: of Marine News Magazine (January 2017)

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BOATBUILDING

Ferry Tales

Having a Ferry Good Time

By Joe Hudspeth

Despite of some of the lowest fuel pric- modate the future demand for commuter ferry travel once es experienced in the last eight years, de- fuel prices return to and surpass their once familiar norms.

mand for ferry construction is at a seem- The desire for more and better waterborne transit be- ingly all time high. The focus on building comes even more appealing as stakeholders realize that new ferries kicked off in early 2013 and little can be done to help ease roadway congestion. Hope the sustained interest is the continued re- and solace can be found on the water – the real key to a sult of an unleashing of pent up demand. successful intermodal equation – and a close examination

Fleets have been aging and infrastructure of many shipyards’ order books prove that the manifesta- needs to be built up in order to accom- tion of such hope is well underway.

Hudspeth

January 2017

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