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JUNE 2026
2. Income Approach
The income approach is highly relevant for income-pro-
ducing passenger vessels such as ferries on contracted 
routes, excursion operators, or dinner/cruise businesses. It 
values the vessel based on the present value of its anticipat-
ed future economic benefits.
Two main techniques are used:
• Direct capitalization: Stabilized net operating income 
(NOI) divided by a capitalization rate derived from 
market transactions.
• Discounted cash flow (DCF): Projecting detailed cash 
flows (revenues from tickets, food/beverage, charters 
minus operating expenses, maintenance, crew, fuel, 
insurance, and docking fees) over the vessel’s remaining 
economic life, then discounting to present value using 
an appropriate rate that reflects risk. A terminal or 
residual (salvage) value is added at the end.
For passenger vessels, revenue drivers include passenger 
counts, ticket pricing, ancillary sales, charter utilization, 
and seasonality. Expenses must reflect Coast Guard man-
ning requirements, regulatory compliance costs, and fuel 
volatility. Long-term charters or contracts (common for 
some ferries) provide more stable projections.
Key considerations:
• Market-specific demand (tourism trends, commuting 
patterns, competition from bridges or other transport).
• Regulatory risks (e.g., potential changes in cabotage 
under Jones Act for U.S.-flag vessels).
• Remaining useful life, influenced by operating usage, 
maintenance, and technological obsolescence.
USPAP requires clear disclosure of assumptions, such 
as projected occupancy rates or discount rates (often 
From 6 to 200kW
Available with or without enclosures 6 to 200kW
For global support, contact John McKinnon 
at 770-601-6880 or john.mckinnon@kohler.com
Available from
20 to 175kW
Available 
6 to 200kW
Available 
6 to 200kW
*Products shown are not to scale
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