World’s largest ferries for new Bahrain-Saudi Arabia service

Newly established Arabian Gulf ferry operator Bahrain-Saudi Ferries Co has ordered from a Finnish shipyard what is believed to be the largest ferries yet built to operate a new service between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The two 49,000grt vessel have been ordered from STX Europe in a deal valued at 
€360m, with an option on two further vessels of the same size. No delivery date has been given.

The two new ferries will operate between Bahrain’s new Khalifa Bin Salman port and King Abdul Aziz port in Damman, Saudi Arabia. If the service proves popular new services could also be started linking Bahrain with Dubai, Oman and Qatar. Bahrain-Saudi Ferries co says that these vessels are urgently needed to alleviate the chronic vehicle congestion on the 25km long King Fahad Causeway that links Bahrain with Saudi Arabia.

The new ferries will be able to carry 2,000 passengers, 180 freight vehicles and 195 cars. 
There are also plans by a Bahraini company to start a passenger/vehicle fast ferry service linking Bahrain with Kuwait. Sphere: Related Content