Ferries are generally used as a mode of transportation to cross rivers, creeks, or canals. Ferries being used as general public transport are usually found in tourist-friendly places such as Greece, Venice, Bali, Sri Lanka, and more. When it comes to transporting cargo, ferries are used across the world for the transportation of freight goods. As an investment decision, high speed ferries can prove to be a profitable choice thanks to their high demand in almost every country. But when looking at high speed ferries for sale, it is important to know the different types of ferries used in the world for shipping. In this blog, we take a look at the different types of ferries and their common applications.
Traditionally speaking, ferries can be divided into two main groups: conventional single-hull ferries and fast ferries. Going on a speed of more than 20 knots, these high speed ferries include monohulls, catamarans, and trimarans. Let us understand the different types of ferry designs below.
Monohull
As is obvious from the name, this type of ferry boat has a single (mono) hull. Monohull ferries came into existence around the 90s. An added weight, known as the ballast, is added to the bottom of the hull for better stability. Monohulls were used as high-speed crafts because the additional weight of the ballast assures overall stability for the boat.
Catamaran
The catamaran is among the most popular ferry types. Speed is of course a major USP. This type of boats are designed with two hulls, which gives them better stability, smaller drag values, and a stronger ability to withstand gales and strong winds. They also have a larger deck size, which makes them popular as passenger boats. If you’re looking at high speed ferries for sale, catamarans are the most common choice.
Double-Ended Ferry
All marine vessels have a bow and a stern. The front of the boat is called the bow, while the back portion is called the stern. A double-ended ferry is characterized by interchangeable bow and stern parts. The front and back portions on this type of ferry can be alternated, which means the boat does not need to turn around during its return service. Double-ended ferries are mostly used as water transport ferries for passengers only. They can sail back and forth without having to turn.
Ro-Ro Ferry
Ro-Ro is an acronym for roll-on/roll-off ferries. This kind of ferries come with a pre-installed ramp for easy loading of vehicles and other wheeled cargo. They are the most helpful in the transportation of cars, trucks, and other vehicles. The design allows the cargo to drive in and drive off without any difficulty.
Cable Ferry
Cable ferries are used for only a short distance, such as rivers and lakes. The boats are propelled and controlled by cables attached to the two shores. Sometimes, these ferries are manually controlled by another boat or a ship.
Turntable Ferry
Like the name says, a turntable ferry comes with a spinning surface. As the platforms swivels, loading and unloading of cargo can happen from the side. These ferries are primarily used to load vehicles.
Conclusion
In some parts of the world, ferries are a part of daily life as a common mode of transport. While in some locations, they are promoted as tourist attractions. For those interested in high speed ferries for sale, Norwegian Ship Sales can be of great help with a verified list of buyers, vehicle inspections, and more.
