List of largest ferries of Europe explained

In terms of gross tonnage, the largest ferry[1] in the world is the 75,156-ton Color Magic, built by Aker Finnyards of Finland, and operated by Color Line on the route between Oslo in Norway and Kiel in Germany.[2] [3] Its sister ship Color Fantasy comes a close second in tonnage. As a measure of the total internal volume of a ship, gross tonnage is most commonly used to compare the size of civilian ships. However, single dimensions are also often compared. For example, Cruise Roma became the longest ferry in the world after being lengthened in 2019. The cruiseferry Silja Europa with a gross tonnage of around 60,000 tonnes can carry up to 3,750 passengers, more than any other ferry in Europe.

The largest ferries of Europe
ShipLengthGTPassengersSpeedBuiltBuilderCompanyRegistryNormal route(s)Notes
223.7m (733.9feet)75,1562,81222kn2007Aker Finnyards Turku Shipyard / Rauma shipyard, FinlandColor Line NorwayOslo - KielLargest ferry in the world in terms of gross tonnage.
223.7m (733.9feet)74,0272,60522kn2004Aker Finnyards Turku Shipyard, FinlandColor Line NorwayOslo - Kiel
Moby Fantasy237m (778feet)69,5002,50023.5kn2021Guangzhou Shipyard International Company LimitedMoby Lines ItalyLivorno - Olbia
237m (778feet)69,5002,50023.5kn2023Guangzhou Shipyard International Company LimitedMoby Lines ItalyLivorno - Olbia (late 2023)
222.5m (730feet)65,2112,80022kn2021Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co Ltd ChinaViking Line FinlandTurku - Mariehamn - StockholmFuel: Liquefied natural gas (LNG). Largest LNG powered ferry in the world.
Finnsirius235m (771feet)64,6031,10021kn2023China Merchants Jinling Shipyard(Weihai) Co., LtdFinnlines FinlandNaantali - Långnäs - KapellskärFuel: diesel-battery hybrid.
235m (771feet)64,6031,10021kn2023China Merchants Jinling Shipyard(Weihai) Co., LtdFinnlines FinlandNaantali - Långnäs - KapellskärFuel: diesel-battery hybrid.
240m (790feet)64,0391,20022kn2010Wadan Yards, WismarStena Line United KingdomHarwich - Hoek van Holland
240m (790feet)64,0391,20022kn2010Wadan Yards, WismarStena Line NetherlandsHarwich - Hoek van Holland
254m (833feet)63,7423,50028kn2008Fincantieri, Castellammare di Stabia, ItalyGrimaldi Lines ItalyRome (Civitavecchia) - BarcelonaOriginally 225 m., lengthened in 2019.
254m (833feet)63,7423,50028kn2007Fincantieri, Castellammare di Stabia, ItalyGrimaldi Lines ItalyRome (Civitavecchia) - BarcelonaOriginally 225 m., lengthened in 2019.
Pride of Rotterdam215.44m (706.82feet)59,9251,36022kn2001Fincantieri, Venice, ItalyP&O Ferries NetherlandsHull - Rotterdam (Europoort)
Pride of Hull215.44m (706.82feet)59,9251,36022kn2001Fincantieri, Venice, ItalyP&O Ferries BahamasHull - Rotterdam (Europoort)
203.03m (666.11feet)59,9143,75022kn1993Meyer Werft, Papenburg, GermanyTallink EstoniaTallinn - HelsinkiOrdered by Rederi AB Slite for Viking Line traffic. In Silja Line traffic between 1993 and 2013. The largest cruiseferry in the world between 1992 and 2002. Largest ferry in the world in terms of number of beds and passenger capacity
203m (666feet)58,3772,85022kn1991Masa-Yards Turku New Shipyard, FinlandSilja Line SwedenStockholm - Helsinki
203m (666feet)58,3762,84122kn1990Masa-Yards Turku New Shipyard, FinlandSilja Line FinlandStockholm - Helsinki
240m (790feet)57,6391,30023kn2003Hyundai Heavy Industries, South KoreaStena Line SwedenGothenburg - KielOriginally 210.8m (691.6feet), lengthened 2007.
213m (699feet)57,5652,80022kn2013STX Finland Turku Shipyard, FinlandViking Line FinlandStockholm - Mariehamn - TurkuFuel: Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
229.4m (752.6feet)56,13880022kn2022Nanjing Jingling Shipyard, Yizheng ChinaTT Line GermanyTravemünde - TrelleborgFuel: Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
229.4m (752.6feet)56,13880022kn2022Nanjing Jingling Shipyard, Yizheng ChinaTT Line CyprusTravemünde - TrelleborgFuel: Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
Aura Seaways230m (760feet)56,04360023kn2021Guangzhou Shipyard, ChinaDFDS Seaways DenmarkKlaipeda - Karlshamn
Luna Seaways230m (760feet)56,04360023kn2022Guangzhou Shipyard, ChinaDFDS Seaways DenmarkKlaipeda - Karlshamn
225m (738feet)54,3103,00028kn2009Fincantieri, Castellammare di Stabia, ItalyGrimaldi Lines ItalyLivorno - Olbia
Cruise Sardegna225m (738feet)54,3103,00028kn2009Fincantieri, Castellammare di Stabia, ItalyGrimaldi Lines ItalyLivorno - OlbiaEx. Cruise Olympia
Tanit212m (696feet)52 6453,20027.5kn2012DMSE, South KoreaCTN TunisiaLa Goulette - Marseille; La Goulette - Genoa
240m (790feet)51,8371,30022kn2001Astilleros Españoles, Puerto Real, SpainStena Line SwedenGothenburg - KielOriginally 188.3m (617.8feet), lengthened 2007, renamed from Stena Hollandica, renamed from Stena Germanica III
W.B. Yeats195m (640feet)51,3881,88525kn2018Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg, GermanyIrish Ferries CyprusDublin - Cherbourg (summer); Dublin - Holyhead (winter)
Ulysses209.02m (685.76feet)50,9402,16622kn2001Aker Finnyards Rauma shipyard, FinlandIrish Ferries CyprusDublin - Holyhead
MyStar212.10 m(696 ft)50,6292,80027 kn(50 km/h; 31 mph)2022Rauma Marine Constructions, Rauma, FinlandTallink EstoniaTallinn - HelsinkiFuel: Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
Badji Mokhtar III199.9 m (655.8 ft)49,7851,80024kn2021Guangzhou Shipyard International, ChinaAlgérie FerriesAlgiers - Marseille
211m (692feet)49,2703,00029kn2003Nuovi Cantieri Apuania, Marina di Carrara, ItalyGrandi Navi Veloci ItalyGenoa - Palermo; Genoa - Tunis
211m (692feet)49,2703,00029kn2002Nuovi Cantieri Apuania, Marina di Carrara, ItalyGrandi Navi Veloci ItalyGenoa - Palermo; Genoa - Tunis
Megastar212.10 m(696 ft)49,1342,80027 kn(50 km/h; 31 mph) 2017Meyer Turku, Turku, FinlandTallink EstoniaTallinn - HelsinkiFuel: Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
212.1m (695.9feet)48,9152,80024.5kn2009STX Europe Rauma shipyard, FinlandTallink EstoniaTallinn - Mariehamn - Stockholm
212.1m (695.9feet)48,9152,80024.5kn2008Aker Finnyards Helsinki Shipyard, FinlandSilja Line FinlandStockholm - Mariehamn - Turku
212.1m (695.9feet)48,9152,70022kn2006Aker Finnyards Rauma shipyard, FinlandTallink LatviaStockholm - Mariehamn - Turku
Oscar Wilde213m (699feet)47,6002,00022kn2010STX Europe Rauma shipyard, FinlandIrish Ferries CyprusDover - Calais
Spirit of France213m (699feet)47,6002,00022kn2011STX Europe Rauma shipyard, FinlandP&O Ferries CyprusDover - CalaisIn service September 2011.
P&O Pioneer230.5m (756.2feet)47,3941,50020.8kn2022Guangzhou Shipyard International Company LimitedP&O Ferries CyprusDover - CalaisFuel: diesel-electric hybrid. In service April 2023. Largest double ended ferry in the world.
P&O Liberte230.5m (756.2feet)47,3941,50020.8kn2023Guangzhou Shipyard International Company LimitedP&O Ferries CyprusDover - CalaisFuel: diesel-electric hybrid. In service late 2023.
191m (627feet)46,3982,70022kn1989Wärtsilä Marine Perno Shipyard, FinlandViking Line FinlandHelsinki -Stockholm
Stena Estelle239.7 m(786.41 ft)45,0001,20022 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)2022China Merchants Jinling Shipyard(Weihai) Co., LtdStena Line DenmarkKarlskrona - Gdynia
Stena Ebba239.7 m(786.41 ft)45,0001,20022 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)2022China Merchants Jinling Shipyard(Weihai) Co., LtdStena Line DenmarkKarlskrona - Gdynia
Rhapsody172m (564feet)44,3072,45024kn1996Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint Nazaire, FranceGrandi Navi Veloci ItalyTangier - Barcelona - Genoa
Tinker Bell220m44,24574422kn2001Schichau Seebeckwerft GmbH, Bremerhaven, GermanyTT-Line SwedenTravemunde - Trelleborg - RostockOriginally 191m and 36,468GT. Lengthened 2018. Renamed from Peter Pan was renamed Tinker Bell to release the name for a new build sister to Nils Holgersson
211.56m (694.09feet)43,5321,50023kn2003Hyundai Heavy Industries, Ulsan, South KoreaStena Line United KingdomHolyhead - Dublin
218.8m (717.8feet)42,92350025kn2006Finncantieri, Ancona, ItalyFinnlines FinlandHelsinki - Travemunde
218.8m (717.8feet)42,92350025kn2006Finncantieri, Ancona, ItalyFinnlines FinlandHelsinki - Travemunde
218.8m (717.8feet)42,92350025kn2007Finncantieri, Ancona, ItalyFinnlines FinlandHelsinki - TravemundeOrdered as Europalink. Renamed prior entering service.
218.8m (717.8feet)42,92350025kn2007Finncantieri, Ancona, ItalyFinnlines SwedenNaantali - Långnäs - KapellskärOrdered as Finnlady. Renamed prior entering service.
218.8m (717.8feet)42,92350025kn2007Finncantieri, Ancona, ItalyFinnlines FinlandNaantali - Långnäs - KapellskärFormerly Nordink.
199m (653feet)42,70560021kn1998Astilleros Españoles, Puerto Real, SpainStena Line SwedenTrelleborg - RostockBiggest train ferry in the world
Rusadir187.4 m(615 ft)42,4001,68022 kn (41 km/h; 25 mph)2022Flensburger Schiffbau-GesellschaftBaleària CyprusMalaga - MelillaOrdered for Brittany Ferries, cancelled order before completion. Currently available for sale or charter. Fuel: Liquified natural gas (LNG)
Piana180 m (590.6 ft)42,18075024kn2011Brodosplit, Split, CroatiaLa Méridionale FranceMarseille - Bastia; Marseille - Ajaccio
Varsovia216,2 m(709,3 ft)41,87897624kn2024Cantiere Navale Visentini, Donada, ItalyPolferries CyprusŚwinoujście-YstadThe bareboat charter contract has been extended and announced in summer 2022. The Polish shipowner will rent the ship for a period of 10 years, with priority purchase after 6 years of use. Fuel: Liquified natural gas (LNG)
Santoña214.5 m(703.7 ft)41,8631,01522 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)2022China Merchants Jinling Shipyard(Weihai) Co., LtdBrittany Ferries FrancePortsmouth - Santander; Portsmouth - CherbourgFuel: Liquefied natural gas (LNG). Entry into service March 2023.
Salamanca214.5 m(703.7 ft)41,8631,01522 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)2021China Merchants Jinling Shipyard(Weihai) Co., LtdBrittany Ferries FrancePortsmouth - Bilbao; Portsmouth - CherbourgFuel: Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
Galicia214.5 m(703.7 ft)41,8631,01522 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)2020China Merchants Jinling Shipyard(Weihai) Co., LtdBrittany Ferries FranceRosslare - Bilbao; Rosslare - CherbourgCurrently serving Portsmouth - Santander and Cherbourg, transferring to Ireland-based routes once replaced by Santoña.
184.6m (605.6feet)41,7582,40027kn2004Meyer Werft, Papenburg, GermanyBrittany Ferries FranceSantander - Plymouth - Roscoff - Cork; Portsmouth - St. Malo (winter only)
Stena Estrid214.5 m(703.7 ft)41,6711,00022 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)2019China Merchants Jinling Shipyard(Weihai) Co., LtdStena Line CyprusHolyhead - Dublin
Stena Edda214.5 m(703.7 ft)41,6711,00022 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)2020China Merchants Jinling Shipyard(Weihai) Co., LtdStena Line CyprusLiverpool (Birkenhead) - Belfast
Stena Embla214.5 m(703.7 ft)41,6711,00022 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)2020China Merchants Jinling Shipyard(Weihai) Co., LtdStena Line CyprusLiverpool (Birkenhead) - Belfast
Danielle Casanova175m (574feet)41,4472,60024kn2002Fincantieri, Ancona, ItalyCorsica Linea FranceMarseille - Algiers; Marseille - Tunis; Marseille - Ajaccio
193.8m (635.8feet)40,9752,50022kn2004Aker Finnyards Rauma shipyard, FinlandTallink EstoniaTallinn - Helsinki
193.8m (635.8feet)40,8032,50022kn2001Aker Finnyards Rauma shipyard, FinlandTallink LatviaTBD
Cote D'Opale215.87 m (708.2 ft)40,3311,00022 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)2021China Merchants Jinling Shipyard(Weihai) Co., LtdDFDS Seaways FranceDover - Calais
178.4m (585.3feet)40,0392,20021kn1989Wärtsilä Marine Perno Shipyard, FinlandDFDS Seaways DenmarkCopenhagen - Frederikshavn - Oslo
214m (702feet)39,7803,00029kn2004Fincantieri, Castellammare di Stabia, ItalyTirrenia di Navigazione ItalyOlbia - Rome (Civitavecchia)
214m (702feet)39,7803,00029kn2005Fincantieri, Castellammare di Stabia, ItalyTirrenia di Navigazione ItalyGenoa - Porto Torres
201.2m (660.1feet)39,7392,00024kn1999Fincantieri, Genoa, ItalyGrandi Navi Veloci ItalyGenoa - Palermo; Genoa - Barcelona - Tangier/Tunis
202.83m (665.45feet)39,7392,33024kn1998Nuovi Cantieri Apuania, Marina di Carrara, ItalyGrandi Navi Veloci ItalyGenoa - Palermo; Genoa - Barcelona - Tangier/Tunis
175.37m (575.36feet)39,1781,70021.5kn1987Stocznia im. Komuny Paryskiej, Gdynia, PolandStena Line CyprusRosslare - CherbourgFormerly Stena Germanica.
175.37m (575.36feet)39,1781,70021.5kn1988Stocznia im. Lenina, Gdańsk, PolandStena Line CyprusKarlskrona - Gdynia
214.12m (702.49feet)39,1392,00023kn1994Nuovi Cantieri Apuania, Marina di Carrara, ItalyGrandi Navi Veloci ItalyMultiple routes from Genoa and CivitavecchiaOriginally 188.22m (617.52feet), lengthened 1996
205.4m (673.9feet)38,261[4] 3,00022kn1992Perama, GreeceANEK Lines GreeceMultiple routes
192.1m (630.2feet)38,2612,50022kn2009Stocznia im. Komuny Paryskiej, Gdynia, Poland / Perama, GreeceANEK Lines GreecePiraeus - Chania
199.95m (656feet)37,98788721kn1996Schichau Seebeckswerft, Bremerhaven, GermanyStena Line SwedenRostock - Trelleborg
Mega Regina177m (581feet)37,7992,50022kn1985Wärtsilä Perno Shipyard, Turku, FinlandCorsica Ferries ItalyToulon/Nice - CorsicaFormerly Mariella with Viking Line
177m (581feet)37,5832,50022kn1986Wärtsilä Perno Shipyard, Turku, FinlandSt Peter Line MaltaSt. Petersburg - Helsinki - Tallinn - StockholmFormerly Olympia with Viking Line and Pride of Bilbao with P&O Ferries.
Kydon Palace214 m (702 ft)37,4822,20029.5 kn (55 km/h; 34 mph)2001Fincantieri, Genoa, ItalyMinoan Lines GreecePiraeus - ChaniaFormerly Festos Palace. Name changed to Kydon Palace in 2020.
Cruise Bonaira214 m (702 ft)37,4822,20029.5 kn (55 km/h; 34 mph)2001Fincantieri, Genoa, ItalyGrimaldi Lines ItalyTBCFormerly Knossos Palace. Name changed to Cruise Bonaria in 2020.
Festos Palace214m (702feet)36,8252,18230kn2002Fincantieri, Venice, ItalyMinoan Lines GreecePiraeus - HeraklionFormerly Europa Palace. Name changed to Festos Palace in 2020.
Knossos Palace214m (702feet)36,8252,18230kn2001Fincantieri, Venice, ItalyMinoan Lines GreecePiraeus - HeraklionFormerly Olympia Palace and Cruise Bonaria. Became Knossos Palace in 2020.
Superspeed 1212.8 m (698.2 ft)36,8222,31527 kn(50 km/h; 31 mph) 2008Aker Finnyards Turku Shipyard / Rauma shipyard, FinlandColor Line NorwayKristiansand - HirtshalsGross tonnage increased in 2011 following extension of passenger accommodation.
Bithia214.6m (704.1feet)36,4752,78129.5kn2001Fincantieri, Castellammare di Stabia, ItalyTirrenia di Navigazione ItalyGenoa - Olbia/Porto Torres
Janas214.6m (704.1feet)36,4752,70028.9kn2001Fincantieri, Castellammare di Stabia, ItalyTirrenia di Navigazione ItalyGenoa - Olbia/Porto Torres
Akka190m (623 ft)36,46874422kn2001Schichau Seebeckwerft GmbH, Bremerhaven, GermanyTT-Line GermanyTravemunde - Trelleborg - RostockFormerly Nils Nolgersson
Finlandia175 m (547.2 ft)36,3652,08027 kn (50 km/h; 31 mph)2001DSME, Seoul, South KoreaEckerö Line FinlandHelsinki - TallinnFormerly Moby Freedom
Athara214.6m (704.1feet)36,3002,70028.9kn2001Fincantieri, Castellammare di Stabia, ItalyTirrenia di Navigazione ItalyGenoa - Olbia/Porto Torres
Pascal Lota177 m (580,ft)36,2992,08027.5 kn (51.0 km/h; 31.6 mph)2007Fincantieri, Castellammare di Stabia, ItalyCorsica Ferries ItalyToulon - Bastia - Ajaccio; Bastia - LivornoFormerly M/S Superstar, Tallink
Moby Aki175 m (547.2 ft)36,2842,20027 kn (50 km/h; 31 mph)2005Fincantieri, Castellammare di Stabia, ItalyMoby Lines ItalyLivorno - Olbia
James Joyce186m (610feet)36,2491,90027kn2007Aker Finnyards, Helsinki Shipyard, FinlandIrish Ferries CyprusTallinn - HelsinkiChartered from Tallink, initially serving Pembroke Dock - Rosslare[5]
Moby Wonder175 m (547.2 ft)36,0932,20027 kn (50 km/h; 31 mph)2001DSME, Seoul, South KoreaMoby Lines ItalyLivorno - Olbia
Norröna161m (528feet)35,9661,48221kn2003Flender Werft, Lübeck, GermanySmyril Line Faroe IslandsHirtshals - Tórshavn - Seyðisfjørður
Dunkerque Seaways186.65 m (612.4 ft)35,92393025 kn (46 km/h; 29 mph)2005Samsung Heavy Industries, South KoreaDFDS Seaways United KingdomDover - Dunkerque
Dover Seaways186.65 m (612.4 ft)35,92393025 kn (46 km/h; 29 mph)2005Samsung Heavy Industries, South KoreaDFDS Seaways United KingdomDover - Dunkerque
Delft Seaways186.65 m (612.4 ft)35,92393025 kn (46 km/h; 29 mph)2005Samsung Heavy Industries, South KoreaDFDS Seaways United KingdomDover - Dunkerque
Viking XPRS185 m (606.9 ft)35,918250025 kn (46 km/h; 29 mph)2007Aker Finnyards, Helsinki Shipyard, FinlandViking Line FinlandHelsinki - Tallinn
Mont St Michel173.95 m(570.7 ft)35,8912,12321 kn (39 km/h; 31 mph)2002Van der Giessen de Noord, Krimpen a/d IJssel, NetherlandsBrittany Ferries FranceCaen (Ouistreham) - Portsmouth
Pascal Paoli176 m(576 ft)35,76055023 kn (42.6 km/h; 24.5 mph)2002Van der Giessen de Noord, Krimpen a/d IJssel, NetherlandsCorsica Linea FranceMarseille - Bastia
Crown Seaways171.5m (562.7feet)35,4982,13621.5kn1994Brodosplit, Split, CroatiaDFDS Seaways DenmarkCopenhagen - Frederikshavn - Oslo
Stena Scandica222 m (728ft)35,45697024 kn (44 km/h; 28 mph)2005Cantiere Navale Visentini, Donada, ItalyStena Line DenmarkNynäshamn – VentspilsOriginally 186.6m (612.2feet), lengthened 2021, renamed from Stena Lagan
Stena Baltica222 m (728ft)35,45697024 kn (44 km/h; 28 mph)2005Cantiere Navale Visentini, Donada, ItalyStena Line DenmarkNynäshamn – VentspilsOriginally 186.6m (612.2feet), lengthened 2021, renamed from Stena Mersey
Gabriella171.2m (561.7feet)35,2852,40021.5kn1992Brodosplit, Split, CroatiaViking Line FinlandStockholm - Mariehamn - Helsinki
Mega Victoria169.4m (555.8feet)34,3842,42020.5kn1988Brodosplit, Split, CroatiaCorsica Ferries ItalyStockholm - Mariehamn - Helsinki

Notes

  1. Book: PETER, BRUCE. FERRY : a design voyage.. 2021. FERRY PUBLICATIONS. 1-911268-46-5. [S.l.]. 1240415867.
  2. Book: WIDDOWS, NICK. FERRIES 2021.. 2020. FERRY PUBLICATIONS. 1-911268-37-6. [S.l.]. 1157070214.
  3. Book: PETER, BRUCE. COLOR LINE : and the development of norwegian international ferry services since 1825.. 2020. FERRY PUBLICATIONS. 1-911268-39-2. [S.l.]. 1157053035.
  4. http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/el_venizelos_1992.htm faktaomfartyg.se
  5. Web site: New cruise ferry Oscar Wilde Irish Ferries News . 2023-05-14 . www.irishferries.com.