Generally, ships are categorized into cargo and passenger ships. Ferries fall into the passenger ship category.
The main types of ferries are:
1. Conventional Passenger Ferry / Ro-Pax Ferry (carries both vehicles & passengers)
2. High-speed Passenger Ferry / Ro-Pax Ferry (carries both vehicles & passengers)
3. Catamaran (small watercraft, for passengers only)
4. Trimaran (multihull boat, for passengers only)
5. Flying Dolphin/Hydrofoil (for passengers only)
Conventional ferries are slower but offer much more amenities such as garage, restaurants and bars, compared to the others (catamaran, trimaran, flying dolphins). Some ferry companies operate high-speed ferries that are quicker than conventional ferries.