The Magic of Ferries
In the days of early humanity, crossing a river was no easy task. Maybe a raft could be constructed, or maybe you could swim. Both could be dangerous and possibly deadly, especially during high water elevations. Nowadays we have much safer and more modern ways to cross large rivers, such as the Rhine. Bridges and tunnels go over and under rivers (respectively), and sow together the land across rivers worldwide. The much simpler option though is to go right through the water. This is the role that ferries play, and their place in transportation is undeniable.
I live south of Bonn, in an area called Mehlem. Right across the River Rhine is the beautiful town of Königswinter and the Drachenfels ruins towering over it. Over the course of my time here I have crossed the river many times to visit this place and the attractions it holds. Plus, when my parents visited Germany, for part of the time they stayed in a stunning little town even further south called Luetesdorf. Once again I found myself crossing the river many times over. The nearest bridge however, is much further up the Rhine, completely out of the way. Therefore, I found myself taking the Königswinter ferry (the Rheinfähre) upwards of 20 times! Despite the fairly quick ride, I find it quite relaxing and serene being out in the middle of the river. It is also super interesting watching the cars load on and off of the ferries super efficiently.
Ferries provide a unique service to the transportation infrastructure system. They allow supplemental river crossings for pedestrians, bikers, and even cars. They take some of the load from bridges and are often very conveniently placed. According to a study by Oxford Economics, most of the vessels are actually located in Asia, but Europe’s fleet contains larger and stronger ferries, accounting for the most tonnage transported. It also reported that the number of vessels around the world is steadily increasing.
-Drew A
Sources & further reading:
Fortune Business Insights. (n.d.). Passenger ferries market size & trends: Growth report [2032]. Passenger Ferries Market Size & Trends | Growth Report [2032]. https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/passenger-ferries-market-103655
Oxford Economics. (2021, October). Economic impact of the Global Ferry Industry. interferry.com. https://interferry.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Interferry_OEFerryMarketStudy_FINAL1.pdf
Rheinfähre Königswinter – Bonn-mehlem. Industriekultur Bonn / Siebengebirge. (n.d.). https://bonn.rheinische-industriekultur.com/rheinfaehre-koenigswinter-bonn_mehlem/
