Industry News
New Ro-Ro Service for Gulf of Mexico
Sep 3, 2010
From Cruise & Ferry Info (ShipPax Information)
Nafta Gulfbridge is planning to start a new express ro-ro service between Mobile, Alabama and Veracruz, Mexico using two chartered newbuildings. Soon to be delivered from Hyundai Mipo, the 3900 lanem vessels are managed by Pacific Basin. If the service is successful, a daily service will be offered. The two sisters STRAIT OF DOVER and STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR were acquired by Pacific Basin as newbuilding contracts from Grimaldi Lines.
Ferry Environmental Victim
Aug 31, 2010
From Cruise & Ferry Info (ShipPax Information)
The US ferry BADGER has been given a deadline before which she has to convert her machinery, or she will be stopped in 2012 due to dumping coal ash in Lake Michigan. BADGER is one of few remaining coal-fired ferries still in active service. The city of Ludington, which is connected with Manitowoc on the other side of the lake by the ferry service, has been seeking a USD 14 million federal grant to repower the historic ferry, built in 1953, to diesel engines. Competing fast ferry operator Lake Express (Milwaukee - Muskegon) says that should the coal-fired ferry get grants, it would "provide an unfair market advantage". Both companies are reluctant to provide statistics of their services, however latest figures points in the direction of 100,000 passengers a year each. BADGER as well as the catamaran LAKE EXPRESS are also able to carry vehicles.