Generally, ships are categorized into cargo and passenger ships. Ferries fall into the passenger vessel category.
The main types of ferries are:
1. Conventional Passenger Vessel / Ro-Pax Vessel (carries both vehicles & passengers)
2. Highspeed Passenger Vessel / Ro-Pax Vessel (carries both vehicles & passengers)
3. Catamaran (small watercraft, for passengers only)
4. Trimaran (multihull boat, for passengers only)
5. Flying Dolphin (for passengers only)
Conventional vessels 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 vessels that are quicker than conventional ferries.