Everything You Need to Know About Ferries

Eve Church
26 May, 2026
07 Mins read

The ferry is one of the unsung heroes of the merchant navy. It doesn’t spring to mind like cargo and container ships or oil tankers do when you think about commercial shipping. It’s not astronomically sized like heavy lift carriers or supramax vessels and it doesn’t really do anything exciting like an icebreaker or a fireboat, but the humble ferry is an important part of daily life for people all over the world.

At Martide there’s nothing we like better than exploring seafarer jobs and types of vessels in our blog posts and after writing about many different types of vessels, such as chemical tankers and coaster vessels and so we thought it was about time that we took a closer look at the ferry.

What are Ferries and What Do They Do?

Ferries are mainly known as a type of boat that transports passengers from one place to another, and then, often, back again.

They have more in common with a bus or train than a cruise ship as their main purpose is to provide passengers with a form of transportation for a reason rather than for leisure - particularly in areas that have a lot of water.

Having said that, there are passenger ferries which are part of the leisure industry: think cross channel ferries which transport people from the UK who want to travel to France or Spain for a vacation, or the ferries that take holidaymakers from one Greek island to another.

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People also use ferries as part of their daily commute. For example, if you live in one part of Sydney, Australia but work across the harbor, the ferry will probably be a far quicker route to the office than traveling around the bay by road-based transport.

a Fred Olsen ferry

The Busiest Ferry Routes in the World

Some ferry routes carry millions of passengers every year and are essential transport links.

English Channel

Connects the UK and France

One of the busiest international ferry routes

Scandinavia

Extensive networks linking Norway, Sweden, and Denmark

Asia

High-capacity ferries in countries like the Philippines and Indonesia

What is the History of the Ferry?

The ferry was a necessity in the days before engineers knew how to design and construct bridges and tunnels over and under large bodies of water.

And while today there is no shortage of ferries sailing from one part of Greece to another, and around the islands, and fittingly, what is commonly agreed by historians to be the most well-known early use of the ferry is in Greek mythology. As the story goes, Charon the ferryman carried the souls of the dead across the River Styx.

The earliest ferries were small watercraft which were propelled by poles or oars. As the ferry evolved, bigger flatboats took over, with sails also added to some boats for use when the conditions allowed.

Some bigger ferries even used horses as a means of propulsion, either using the animals to walk in a circle around a capstan that hauled ropes, thus pulling the ferry along, or by walking upon a treadmill which was attached to paddle wheels.

As the 19th Century approached, the first steam powered ferry in the United States was launched in 1790 on the Delaware River.

Despite not being a commercial success, it paved the way for a new era of ferries which were now bigger, faster and more dependable.

It became apparent that it wasn’t just people who needed to cross rivers, lakes and bays, but their transport needed to travel too. Ferries thus adapted further to be able to take onboard horses and carts and wagons, much in the way that people today drive their cars, vans, motorcycles and even trucks onto ferries.

With the ferry increasing in popularity and with more and more people using various routes to transport and sell goods, it became apparent that there was a need to allow vehicles to board and disembark efficiently. And so ferry terminals were built.

It wasn’t long before the shipping industry as a whole evolved further and steam engines were replaced by diesel, in all types of vessels, ferries included.

a Scandlines ferry

However, the world was changing too and as the car became the king of the road and trucks became increasingly bigger, many ferries were unable to cope with the demand or the load.

This led to more bridges and tunnels being constructed and, in many places, reliance on the ferry for cross-water transportation began to die out.

What are Some Different Types of Ferries?

The word ‘ferry’ is generic and covers a number of different designs and types of boat. We’ll take a look at a few different types of ferry here.

Car ferries

Car ferries are cargo ships used for the transportation of wheeled vehicles and are also known as car carriers. Car carriers can be split into two different types:

Ships that carry only cars are known as Pure Car Carriers (PCC)

Vessels that carry various types of four-wheeled cargo are known as Pure Car Truck Carriers (PCTC)

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These sorts of vessels are also known as RoRo ships - short for Roll-On/Roll-Off - which is how the wheeled cargo is loaded and unloaded.

RoRo Ferries

Similarly, a ferry that carries both vehicles as cargo as well as passengers may also be referred to as a RoRo ferry. Passengers will walk or drive onto the ferry and then leave their cars once they are safely parked onboard.

ROPAX Ferries

Not that different to a RoRo ferry, a ROPAX ferry is one which is designed to accommodate both vehicles and passengers. ROPAX stands for Roll-On/Roll-Off Passenger.

a car deck on a ferry

Cross Channel Ferries

As the name suggests, a cross channel ferry, or channel ferry, is a ship that crosses a channel of water between two countries, Most specifically, the narrow stretch of water between England and France known as the English Channel (to the British) or La Manche (to the French.)

Today there are a number of different companies operating cross-channel ferries that shuttle to-and-fro between England and France as well as between the UK and other mainland European ports.

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Double-ended Ferries

A double-ended ferry alternates the front (bow) and back (stern) of the vessel, depending on which direction it is traveling in. A bit like a metro or underground train. This also means that vehicles are driven on and off both ends of the vessel.

Catamarans

A catamaran is a twin-hulled boat and the term can be used to describe anything from a sailing yacht with two hulls to a twin-hulled ferry. Most catamaran ferries are passenger boats and they are known for their speed.

Why the Ferry isn’t Going Anywhere

In many areas across the globe, ferries are still very much a way of life. Bridges and tunnels may be built but many people still rely on the ferry to get from A to B and back again, particularly in coastal areas or archipelagic states such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and the UK which depend on ferries for domestic transportation between their islands.

How Ferries Work

Ferries may look relatively simple from the outside, especially compared to more complex vessels such as gas carriers or crane vessels, but their operations are carefully planned to keep schedules tight and crossings efficient.

Key Operational Elements

Power and propulsion

Most ferries run on diesel engines

Increasing use of LNG, hybrid, and fully electric systems

Fixed routes and schedules

Ferries operate on regular, repeatable routes

Timetables are designed for high frequency and reliability

Loading and unloading

Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) systems allow vehicles to drive on and off

Passenger-only ferries use gangways for quick boarding

Fast turnaround times

Some ferries spend as little as 30 to 60 minutes in port

Efficiency is key to maintaining schedules

Maritime Jobs on Ferries

Working on a ferry is very different from working on deep-sea vessels, mainly due to shorter routes and the frequent port calls.

Common Seafarer Jobs on Ferries

Deck crew

The Deck Department is responsible for mooring, navigation support, and safety

Engine crew

The Engine Department maintains engines and technical systems

Hospitality staff

Meanwhile, the Stewards Department handles food service, cleaning, and passenger support

What Makes Ferry Work Unique

Unlike working on other commercial vessels, such as a bulk carrier or a feeder container ship working in a seafarer job on a ferry is often defined by:

Short voyages and regular routes

More interaction with passengers

Frequent port operations

Often shorter contracts compared to cargo ships

Ferry Safety and Regulations

Like all commercial vessels, safety is a top priority in ferry operations, especially given the high number of passengers onboard.

Key Safety Features

Lifeboats and life rafts for all passengers and crew

Clearly marked evacuation routes

Fire detection and suppression systems

Vehicle securing systems on car decks

Regulations

Governed by international rules such as SOLAS

Regular safety drills for crew

Strict inspection and certification requirements

Passenger Safety

Safety briefings or announcements before departure

Muster stations assigned to all passengers

Crew trained to manage emergencies efficiently

Environmental Impact and Green Ferries

Like other parts of the maritime and logistics sectors, the ferry industry is evolving as it works to reduce its environmental footprint.

Traditional Impact

Diesel-powered ferries produce emissions

High frequency routes can increase fuel use

Green Developments

**Electric ferries - **Zero emissions during operation

**Hybrid vessels - **Combine battery power with traditional engines

**Alternative fuels - **LNG, hydrogen, and biofuels

**Shore power - **Allows ferries to switch off engines while docked

Ferry vs Cruise Ship: What’s the Difference?

Ferries and cruise ships may look similar, but they serve very different purposes.

	Ferry	Cruise Ship
Purpose	Transportation	Leisure and travel
Trip length	Up to an overnight crossing	Several days to weeks, even months
Routes	Fixed and regular	Variable itineraries
Onboard focus	Practical services	Entertainment and luxury

Tips for Traveling on a Ferry

If you’re planning to travel by ferry, a few simple tips can make the experience smoother.

Before You Travel

Book early during busy seasons

Check luggage and vehicle requirements

Arrive at the port in advance

During the Journey

Bring essentials in a small bag

Dress for changing weather conditions

Take motion sickness precautions if needed

Onboard Advice

Follow crew instructions

Locate your nearest safety station

Keep an eye on departure announcements

FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Ferries

What is the main purpose of a ferry?

Ferries are primarily used to transport passengers, vehicles, and cargo across short to medium distances, usually on fixed routes.

Are ferries safe to travel on?

Yes. Ferries are designed with multiple safety systems and must follow strict international regulations.

How long do ferry trips usually last?

This depends on the route. Some crossings take less than an hour, while others can last overnight.

Do ferries run in bad weather?

Most ferries continue operating in rough conditions, but severe weather can cause delays or cancellations.

Can you stay overnight on a ferry?

Some ferries offer cabins for longer routes, especially overnight crossings.

Are ferries environmentally friendly?

Traditional ferries have an environmental impact, but newer vessels are increasingly using cleaner technologies like electric and hybrid systems.

Read the previous article in this series: Everything You Need to Know About Fishing Vessels

Read the next article in this series: Everything You Need to Know About Mining Ships

This blog post was originally published on September 8th 2022 and updated on My 25th 2026

#Technology