Keel Laying Ceremony For New Fast Ferries
Strategic Marine hosted the keel laying ceremony in Singapore for the two new fast ferries the Government has ordered.
A Government spokesperson said, “As announced during the 2024/2025 Throne Speech, the Ministry of Transport is steadfastly advancing toward enhancing public transportation services, including strategically purchasing two 40-meter 550-passenger Fast Ferries.”
Minister of Transport Wayne Furbert said, “The investment into our ferry fleet, the largest budget item in 2024/2025 capital plan, is a testament to our commitment to modernising public transportation. This purchase will replace the JE Cecil Smith and Warbaby Fox ferries and is a significant step towards meeting the increasing demand for efficient and sustainable transportation options. With their advanced features and increased capacity, these new vessels signify a substantial investment in maritime infrastructure and promise to revolutionise the commuting experience. They will significantly improve marine connectivity and accessibility for residents and visitors.
The Government spokesperson said, “Following a robust procurement process for the vessel’s build, the Department of Marine and Ports Services secured a contract for $19.5 million with Strategic Marine of Singapore to build the new ferries. Strategic Marine has the expertise to design and build vessels that meet the highest safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability standards. The ferries are expected to be in service within 18 months.
“Strategic Marine hosted the keel laying ceremony in Singapore in April to mark the significant beginnings of the vessel’s life. The Director of the Department of Marine and Ports Services, Rudy Cann, and various supply partners attend the event.
“The Department of Marine and Ports Services regulates and safely operates Bermuda’s maritime affairs, including marine border security, search and rescue, and public transportation.”
The design illustrations of the exterior and interior of the new ferries.
Why are we not buying electric ferries? What happened to the much publicized net zero approach? As to size, they will take so much time to load and unload, why not 4 x 250 capacity ferries?
“Why are we not buying electric ferries?”
Could it be because the batteries are too heavy?
Excellent point. Plus salt water and huge batteries are not a good combination.
On the plus side, the ferry could be quickly sunk to extinguish an electric battery blaze.
Take a high school level chemistry course, Learn about lithium.
Amazing how the old ferries from the ‘80s and ‘90s are still in operation but the mid-2000s ones already need replacing.
One of those “old ferries” is rumoured to be in service as a private yacht in Turks and Caicos.
Is that one of the CT built boats? Also where did the two tugs go? Sold for dirt cheap for sure. Lots of life left in then.
“Strategic Marine hosted the keel laying ceremony in Singapore in April to mark the significant beginnings of the vessel’s life. The Director of the Department of Marine and Ports Services, Rudy Cann, and various supply partners attend the event.”
Nice. I wish someone would pay for me to go to Singapore.
Surprised Flip Flop didn’t pair up with Rudy and rock his Bermuda shorts in Singapore. After all, what’s one more $10,000+ first class flight?
Wonder what the net cost of those Singapore ferries will be after all of the costs are factored in.
Halfway around the world the shipping will be huge. Let’s not forget all of the trips that the Minister and as many as can get on the bandwagon will be taking to Singapore during construction.
All of the add ons will be as much as the cost of the ferries.
Meanwhile there are builders real close in the US and the ferries can come on their own bottoms.
Of course junkets to CT or some Gulf State is nowhere near as desirable as Singapore.