Hawaii Superferry: Changes, Controvery, And The Future

Last week I gave you my reasons for the Superferry postponing (or cancelling) its second planned ship.  Here’s some additional feedback written by Brad who reads Beat of Hawaii.  He’s the author of the Hawaii Superferry Unofficial Blog.  Brad refers to the following points in his comment:

Financial problems with primary Superferry investor John Lehman

Lehman’s wealth has probably been cut by a third to half by the recent market. Money that he had last year to keep throwing at the Superferry, he may feel he doesn’t have to waste anymore. Austal (the ships’ manufacturer) has spoken recently about commercial ferry operators running into difficulties recently on financing.

Hawaii Supreme Court reconsidering the need for a complete Environmental Impact Study.

The State Supreme Court agreed recently to take the appeal (which could mean that a full environmental impact study will now be required). This could block the use of…(Superferry)… until an environmental impact study is done, which could take another year or two, and the company would have to pay for that. Better to plan something else for…(the second ship)…now, like a government lease.

Low Superferry ridership and the financial implications.

Ridership has probably been low recently and this only further points out the problem of running an even more cost-ineffective 4+ hour route between Oahu and the Big Island.

Recently the State mentioned…that they are planning on passing off all of the cost of tug services to Hawaii Superferry to deal with the barges. That is a lot of money and makes this even more of a money loser.

The likely move of the Superferry into military use.

The Army/Navy have a HSV (Superferry vehicle) lease ending and funding for a new lease that could begin soon.  A military lease would be a relatively fixed amount to at least cover all costs, something Hawaii Superferry has not been able to do with the Alakai (in current commercial operations). Lastly, there has been a dramatic increase in pirate activity on the East African Coast over the past year. (These types of vessels)… have been used to deal with that. That is where (the Superferry) might be more useful.

Fare Update: Superferry  raised some passenger rates to $59 starting November 1, and eliminated service on Tuesdays.  The $49 fare is still available on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.