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Mar 30
3

SHIPS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

Four New RoPax Ships Ordered by MSC from GSI for GNV

Sources familiar with the matter told Ferry Shipping News that Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has ordered two new RoPax ferries—plus options for two more—from Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China for its subsidiary GNV.

These four new dual-fuel LNG vessels, set for delivery from 2027 onwards, will be sister ships to GNV VIRGO and GNV AURORA. Each will be 218 metres long and nearly 30 metres wide, with a gross tonnage of 52,300. They will have a maximum speed of 25 knots, over 420 cabins, the capacity to accommodate up to 1,785 passengers, and 2,780 lane metres of RoRo cargo.

Each newbuild is expected to cost more than EUR 150 million. The vessels will be financed by MSC and subsequently transferred to GNV under bareboat charter agreements.

The Aponte-controlled ferry company has already taken delivery of GNV POLARIS from GSI, with GNV ORION, GNV VIRGO, and GNV AURORA due to follow in the coming months

Mar 30
3

Sea-Cargo Adopts, Adapts, Improves Two RoRo Vessels

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

Sea-Cargo announced the purchase and the remodelling of the RoRo vessels MISIDA and MISANA.

The transformation will focus on cutting-edge sustainability initiatives and technological upgrades and will be performed summer 2025.

  • 3 new rotorsails from Norsepower.
  • New optimised propellers from Kongsberg designed for a 14-knots speed to improve fuel efficiency.
  • NOX scrubber by Pureteq.
  • Major upgrade to machinery & control systems from Wärtsilä, including advanced energy- saving features and bridge equipment to compensate blind sectors.
  • Covered weather deck increasing under-deck capacity.
  • Solar panels 1600 m2 solar panels installed on the weather deck cover.
  • Battery and frequency converter systems from NES, featuring an energy pack with shore power and peak shaving.
  • New power management system from Smart Automation, integrating the rotorsail and battery technology for optimal energy efficiency.

Through the implementation of these measures, Sea-Cargo anticipates a reduction of up to 50% in fossil fuel consumption.

The vessels will be renamed TRANS HAV and TRANS SOL.

Mar 30
3

LMG Marin To Do the Basic Design of the Seven New Scottish Ferries

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

LMG Marin has been selected to deliver the basic design for seven new all-electric small ferries ordered by CMAL, following an international tender won by Remontowa Shipbuilding in Poland.

The concept design for these vessels was developed by NaValue, with LMG Marin now taking on the role of basic designer on behalf of the shipyard—a setup identical to the one used for the Islay-class vessels currently under construction at Cemre.

Scheduled for delivery from 2027, the ferries will operate on lifeline routes across Scotland’s west coast, including Iona, Raasay, Gigha, and others. The project represents a major step forward in fleet renewal and the shift to zero-emission operations.

LMG Marin, part of the Seatrium Group, brings vast experience in sustainable ship design, with over 100 ferries designed globally and a strong portfolio of battery- and hydrogen-powered vessels.

Mar 30
3

Incat’s New Hybrid Ferry Available for Charter – Second Vessel to Follow

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

Incat Tasmania’s new 78-metre hybrid electric ferry, currently under construction, will be available for charter from the first half of 2026. A second, sister vessel is planned and could follow within 12 months of delivery.

Key features:

  • Flexible propulsion: fully electric, hybrid or generator-assisted
  • Near-zero emissions (ESS up to 12 MWh)
  • Charging capacity: up to 10 MW
  • Capacity: 600 passengers
  • Top speed: 27 knots
  • Flexible vehicle deck configurations with optional mezzanine decks
  • 2 x 230 kW bow thrusters and bridgewing controls

Designed to replace ageing high-speed craft, the vessel combines lower operating costs with compliance to evolving environmental standards.

Mar 30
3

DALEELA Will Sail The Greece–Cyprus Route For A Fourth Consecutive Year

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

It has been announced that the popular Greece–Cyprus route will reopen for the fourth consecutive year on May 31, 2025. Scandro Holding’s RoPax DALEELA will depart from the port of Limassol, with her last sailing from Piraeus scheduled for September 2, 2025. This season, DALEELA will complete 22 round trips.

Since the relaunch of the line in 2022, 22,582 passengers and 7,641 cars have been transported in total. Notably, on August 23, 2024, the Ministerial Council of the Republic of Cyprus decided to extend the agreement with Scandro Holdings Ltd. for another three years (2025, 2026, and 2027), under the same conditions, including the annual government subsidy of €5.5 million.

Photo: Dimitris Mendakis

Mar 30
3

Seajets To Deploy Four High-Speed Craft From Piraeus To Crete

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

Seajets has confirmed its summer 2025 plans, with four high-speed craft operating from Piraeus to Crete.

Starting from April 4, 2025, HSC WORLD CHAMPION JET and HSC PAROS JET will sail the route Piraeus–Syros–Mykonos–Paros–Naxos–Santorini–Heraklion. The island of Tinos will be added to the itinerary in June.

In addition, HSC SUPERRUNNER JET will connect Piraeus with the port of Rethymno (Crete) starting June 20, 2025, with departures every Friday and Sunday from both ports.

Photo: Seajets

Mar 30
3

MOBY ZAZA sold to Atlantis Maritime SA

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

A public announcement by the local Coast Guard in Livorno has revealed that the 1982-built RoPax ferry MOBY ZAZA has been sold to a Marshall Islands-based company, Atlantis Maritime SA.

The sale price remains undisclosed, as does the vessel’s future deployment. It is also possible that the ship may be heading for demolition in Turkey.

MOBY ZAZA joined the Onorato-controlled fleet in 2015 and has since operated on routes connecting Italy with various Mediterranean islands.

Built by the German shipyard AG Weser Seebeck Werft, the vessel is 153 metres long, 24 metres wide, has a gross tonnage of 22,000 GT, and can carry over 1,500 passengers and approximately 500 cars.

Mar 30
3

PORTS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

New Cruise and Ferry Terminal Under Construction in Tórshavn – Key Facts

A DKK 70 million (EUR 9.4 million) terminal is being built at the Port of Tórshavn, with completion set for June 2026

  • Replaces and expands upon the original terminal from the 1980s, following the port’s large-scale 2022 expansion.
  • Designed to serve both cruise passengers and international ferry travellers—marking a shift from past terminal use.
  • Total building footprint exceeds 7,000 m², including 2,000 m² of terminal facilities and office space.
  • The terminal is being built in a split-ownership with Smyril Line.
  • International ferry passengers will access the terminal via gangway; cruise passengers will use shuttle buses from shipside.
  • Heating will be powered by ocean thermal energy conversion.
  • Immigration and customs facilities will be integrated, addressing deficiencies in the old terminal and preparing for the upcoming EU entry/exit system.

Source: CruiseEurope

Mar 30
3

DIGITAL

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

Crew Shortages & Retention: Why Ferry Operators Must Embrace Digitalization Now

Crew shortages, administrative overload, disengaged seafarers—sound familiar? With rising competition for skilled maritime talent, ferry operators must rethink how they manage and retain their crew. Digitalization isn’t just a convenience anymore—it’s a competitive advantage.

Industry reports keep warning that seafarer shortages could worsen over the next decade. With digital-native crew members joining the workforce, expectations have shifted. Seafarers now demand seamless digital access to their work essentials—just like they do in their personal lives.

That’s where the Seafarer Mobile App by MariApps comes in. This one-stop digital platform empowers ferry operators and crew with:

✔ Instant access to appraisals, payslips, training, and upcoming assignments.

✔ Alerts for expiring certifications and pre-joining documents—ensuring smooth onboarding.

✔ A direct communication channel with crewing officers, cutting back-and-forth admin work.

✔ Engagement beyond contract periods, with company updates, open positions, and training offers.

“Seafarers expect the same seamless digital experience at work as they do in their daily lives. Having everything in one place simplifies their jobs—and we see companies using the app to strengthen crew engagement and streamline operations,” says Stefan Kruellmann, Senior Business Development Manager at MariApps.

For the ferry industry, MariApps’ flagship solution, ferryPAL, extends digitalization beyond crew management—enhancing overall operations with smart, integrated tools.

Get a demo or explore more at MariApps.com/ferryPAL.

Photo Caption: The Seafarer App by MariApps

Photo Credit: MariApps Marine Solutions

Webpage: https://www.mariapps.com/ferrypal/

Mar 30
3

Stena Line Enhances Partnership with Nowhere Networks

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

Stena Line has been using Nowhere Networks’ land-based network on 32 ships since 2021. It has now chosen Nowhere Networks as its sole connectivity provider, managing all internet communication for its entire fleet. The solution includes high-speed internet with full coverage, SD-WAN, traffic control and optimization, a portal, payment solution, single point of contact, and 24/7/365 NOC.

Source: Nowhere Networks

Mar 30
3

PEOPLE

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

Ferguson Marine Appoints New CEO Following Calmac Contract Loss

Scotland’s nationalised shipyard Ferguson Marine has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive, just days after missing out on the contract to build seven new ferries for CalMac.

Graeme Thomson, currently an executive at Babcock, will step into the role on 1 May, succeeding interim CEO John Petticrew, who stepped down earlier this month for “personal reasons.”

Mr Thomson’s appointment comes at a crucial juncture for the Port Glasgow shipyard, as it seeks to secure its future and rebuild confidence following recent setbacks.

Mar 30
3

ORGANISATIONS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

Assarmatori Calls for EU Policy Shift During High-Level Visit to Brussels

 A senior delegation from Assarmatori, the Italian shipowners’ association, concluded a two-day visit to Brussels with a strong message: maritime transport is essential to Europe’s security, cohesion, and environmental goals, but current EU policies risk undermining its strategic value.

Chairman Stefano Messina warned that elements of the EU Green Deal—particularly the Emissions Trading System (ETS)—are distorting competition and threatening critical maritime infrastructure. “We must overcome the excesses of the Green Deal to unleash new momentum,” he said, highlighting the ferry sector’s crucial role in connecting islands and supporting modal shift through the Motorways of the Sea.

The delegation met with European Commission leaders, MEPs, and Italian representatives in Brussels, advocating for a more balanced approach that supports fleet renewal and the deployment of sustainable marine fuels without destabilising vital shipping routes and hubs.

Mar 30
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

CLdN has taken delivery of CHAUMINE, the first of two next-generation RoRo vessels built by HD Hyundai Mipo Co., Ltd.

At 234 metres long and boasting a capacity of 8,000 lane metres, CHAUMINE features an IMO Tier III-compliant hybrid propulsion system. With 11MW main engines and 6MW shaft generators, the vessel can optimise propulsion or power onboard systems as needed – a step forward in operational flexibility and energy efficiency.

Sister ship LEONINE is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2025. Both vessels are set to operate on CLdN’s Northwest Europe routes, responding to growing freight demand between the continent and the UK, particularly Scotland and North East England.

Built with the future in mind, the vessels can be modified to run on alternative low-emission fuels, fuel cells, or batteries.

Photo CLdN

P&O Ferries NORBANK left Zeebrugge on March 25th, bound for a new career in the Gulf within DP World.

Photo: Tibo Deprest