How do ferry boats work

My Account. Search by Routes. Search by Country. Search by Operators. Eurotunnel Freight. Open a Freightlink Account. Latest Fuel Surcharges. Knowledge Centre About Us. Contact Us. Signup for our Newsletter. Terms and Conditions. Useful Documents. Covid Forms. My Account My Account Dashboard. Booking Quotes. Saved Vehicles. Track and Trace. However, many countries base their domestic regulations on the IMO standards.

Some nations adopt the IMO rules completely for their domestic ships. Inspections include stability, hulls, propulsion and other machinery, electrical systems, lifesaving appliances and arrangements, fire prevention and firefighting systems, navigation systems and communications systems. A system of comprehensive and practical regulations, together with effective enforcement, has resulted in ferry transport being one of the safest modes of transport in most parts of the world.

Passenger ferries, on the other hand, require only two berths and the possibility of going ashore or on board. Some ferries are not used for the transport of passengers, but only transport goods. In these cases, they are called RoRo ships, with the abbreviation Roll on, Roll off. Either trucks or trains roll onto the ships, which have been loaded accordingly, although in practice combinations are usually possible.

A practical feature of RoRo ferries is the possibility of loading via ramps, which are located not only at the bow or stern, but also at the sides. The advantage is above all the enormous speed, because since the goods are already on a truck or in a wagon, there is no need for reloading.

Especially on short sea routes and when transporting vehicles or even paper, RoRo ferries are superior and are preferred. The so-called RoPax ships represent a special form. The two largest car ferries in the world, the Stena Hollandica and the Stena Britannica, both metres long, also originate from the RoPax sector. The capacity is impressive and includes 1, passengers as well as cars and trucks, which can be accommodated on 5, loading metres.

Ferries have existed since ancient times. From the Greek mythology the gloomy ferryman Charon is known, who crosses the river of the dead with his ferry. The transport of goods by ferry also took place when the pyramids were built. According to historians, double ferries were probably used, which had a capacity of up to 90 tons and could therefore transport heavy stones.

They generally are operated as passenger boats and are exceedingly popular wherever they are used. Speed is the major USP of a catamaran and for this reason alone a catamaran ride is favourite among people — young and old alike.

One of the most famous catamaran services are operated in the UK by the shipping company Stena Line. Channel Ferries: In simple terms, channel ferries are ferries that cross the English Channel as their routine voyage.

Channel ferries as a means of transportation were introduced in the early 19 th century because of the difficulties posed to ships in the treacherous English Channel waters in both England as well as France. The Channel ferries were small and speedier thus making them a very trustworthy transportation vessel in the English Channel. Credits: RINA. Credits: hafen-hamburg.