The death toll from the capsizing of a state ferry off Guyana’s coast has risen to 72, with ongoing recovery efforts. Of the estimated 179 on board, 76 were rescued. Prime Minister Mark Phillips pledged support for affected families, while authorities launched a criminal investigation into the incident.
Kochi is set to welcome its third roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel next month, enhancing water transport and easing congestion on the busy Vypeen–Fort Kochi route. This new ferry, designed for quick boarding, aims to improve last-mile connectivity, benefiting daily commuters and tourists while reducing waiting times and road traffic.
A Japanese cargo ferry, the Niraikanai II, ran aground near Toshima Island while traveling from Osaka to Tokyo on June 19. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of damage or environmental concerns. The Japan Coast Guard will investigate the incident, as weather conditions were calm at the time.
Nautika is set to launch the Nautika Prride, its fastest and most advanced catamaran, enhancing inter-island travel in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With a capacity of 400 passengers, this luxurious ferry can reach speeds of 24 knots and meets international safety standards, promising a superior travel experience.
On June 21, 2024, the Aratere ferry ran aground en route from Picton to Wellington, prompting an investigation by Maritime NZ. Findings revealed a critical knowledge gap in the crew’s understanding of the steering console. KiwiRail faced a $400,000 fine after acknowledging violations of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
RINA has granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) to ST Engineering Marine for a pioneering retrofit project on the Asean Raider I ferry. This initiative replaces a diesel generator with a hydrogen fuel cell, aiming to reduce carbon emissions while ensuring safety and compliance with maritime regulations. The project highlights innovative hydrogen technology integration.
Last month, Hydrex successfully conducted an underwater bow thruster operation on a ferry in Stockholm during winter. Scheduled during a service break, the team collaborated closely with the ferry crew. They replaced the old thruster with a new unit, ensuring efficient workflow and eliminating the need for a drydock visit.
Turkish firefighters used an innovative ladder truck rescue to save six crew members from the sinking Sea Star Tilos ferry at Altinova Shipyard. All crew were safely evacuated without injury, but the unique twin-hulled vessel later sank, raising environmental concerns about possible pollution in the surrounding waters.
The Philippine Coast Guard has located the sunken ferry Trisha Kerstin 3 near Basilan, allowing for potential recovery of human remains and insights into its capsizing. The confirmed death toll has risen to 43, with investigations into the shipowner’s operations and possible unregistered passengers complicating the situation further.
Three more bodies from the sunken ferry Trisha Kerstin 3 have been recovered near Basilan, raising the confirmed death toll to 40, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. Among the deceased is Coast Guard Seaman Alkhaizar Hadjail, honored for his dedication to public service. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident.
Wärtsilä will provide a fully integrated electric propulsion system with waterjets for a new high-speed catamaran ferry for Danish operator Molslinjen. This vessel, the third in a series of battery-electric ferries, will enhance efficiency and performance, accommodating 1,483 passengers and 500 cars for the Kattegat route by 2028.
Maharashtra is revolutionizing ferry services with digital ticketing on over 35 routes, launched by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on September 30, 2025. This initiative, in partnership with Billeasy, simplifies the ticketing process via WhatsApp, enhancing public transport accessibility and efficiency while minimizing queues for commuters.
Coroner Monica Chow Wai-cho indicated that the choice to exclude a watertight door from the Lamma IV was deliberate, labeling the resulting deaths as “unlawful.” This decision, linked to a significant inquiry, has left families of the victims pushing for further justice, citing ignored design flaws in the ferry’s construction.
French authorities are probing potential foreign interference after discovering remote-access malware on the Italian-operated ferry, Fantastic, in Sète. The Remote Access Trojan (RAT) enables hackers to remotely control systems. Two crew members were arrested; one remains in custody. Officials suspect an organized attempt to compromise the ferry’s data systems.
The Balearia ferry Ciudad de Mahón encountered severe weather while crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, resulting in the abandonment of its journey to Ceuta. Strong winds and high waves triggered significant discomfort among passengers, leading to seasickness. The captain decided to return to Algeciras for safety after hours of turmoil at sea.
