Page 38: of Marine News Magazine (January 2017)

37 39

FERRY OUTLOOK “Why would a company that owns a shipyard not build them here? [because] Our plate is full.” – Jonathan Whitworth, SeaSpan CEO tion (which oversees ferry activities) also has plans to ret- Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority took deliv- ro? t one of its “Austin class” boats (1,280 passengers) for ery of a 400 passenger (and various combinations of cars

LNG operation. In 2014,separate RFPs for LNG propul- and trucks) newbuild , powered by two MTU 4000 diesel sion and fuel storage were issued. Elsewhere, more conven- engines. The new boat will serve the Woods Hole to Vine- tional re-powering efforts are underway at the Delaware yard Haven run.

River and Bay Authority’s ? eet of passenger/vehicle boats running across Delaware Bay between Cape May (New Jer-

New Trends & Visions for Old Problems sey) and Lewes (Delaware). Work on one vessel has been

In many cases, old established transportation patterns completed, with additional Federal funding (aimed at fuel cannot be shifted quickly, but that hasn’t stopped ferry op- ef? ciency and reduced emissions) slated to fund similar en- erators from trying. While established ferries continue to gine replacements of 1970’s vintage engines with new EMD provide an alternative to inef? cient or congested surface 8-710G7C-Tier 3 engines (with the potential for conver- transport, start-ups and trials abound. In New York, for sion to LNG fueling in the future) on two additional boats. example, a city-backed ferry service will begin linking far

Not to be outdone, ? eet replacement has also occurred ? ung outer boroughs with downtown; the ? rst runs are set in New England; during 2016, the Woods Hole, Martha’s to begin in 2017 (see MarineNews December 2016 edition,

January 2017

MN 38

MN Jan17 Layout 32-49.indd 38 MN Jan17 Layout 32-49.indd 38 1/5/2017 4:53:56 PM1/5/2017 4:53:56 PM