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Jul 14
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DFDS Freight Volumes Increase in June

By 2026 Newsletter week 28

DFDS reported total ferry freight volumes of 3.5 million lane metres in June 2026, an increase of 3.3% compared with June 2025.

Growth was driven by stronger performances in the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Strait of Gibraltar networks. North Sea volumes benefited from higher traffic on most routes and a favourable comparison with June 2025, when a national strike in Sweden impacted volumes. In the Mediterranean, overall freight volumes were lower due to reduced capacity on certain routes, although growth continued on services to Egypt and Tunisia.

Channel volumes were slightly below the level recorded in June 2025.

Over the last twelve months, DFDS transported 41.9 million lane metres of freight, up 0.8% from 41.5 million lane metres in the previous twelve-month period. Adjusted for route changes, freight volumes decreased by 0.4%.

Passenger volumes declined in June. DFDS carried 413,000 passengers, down 8.0% compared with June 2025. The decrease was mainly attributed to fewer departures and lower traffic volumes on the Strait of Gibraltar routes and the Dover Strait.

For the last twelve months, passenger numbers totalled 5.0 million, a decrease of 17.7% compared with 6.1 million in the previous period. Adjusted for route changes, the decline was 5.3%.

Jul 14
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Foreship Develops Energy-Efficient Ferry Design for the Greek Domestic Market

By 2026 Newsletter week 28

Foreship, the naval architecture and marine engineering company of RINA, has developed a new ferry concept tailored to the specific operational and economic requirements of the Greek domestic market, with a focus on efficiency, simplicity and cost control.

The company explains that a central element of the concept is the operating profile. While speed has traditionally been a defining factor in the Greek ferry sector, the new design is optimised for more moderate speeds, enabling significant improvements in fuel efficiency and overall operating economics.

The vessel has also been conceived in line with the latest regulatory developments, including updated stability requirements that are reshaping ferry design across Europe and influencing aspects such as dimensions and passenger capacity.

Ari Huttunen, Marine Design & Engineering Projects Principal Consultant at Foreship, said: “This new vessel concept has been developed in response to the specific challenges of the Greek market, with a focus on optimising both capital and operating expenditure. The design integrates all essential functionalities required for safe and reliable operations while avoiding unnecessary complexity, resulting in a robust and economically sustainable vessel.”

Jul 14
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Newly-built RoPax COSTANZA I DI SICILIA enters service in Southern Italy

By 2026 Newsletter week 28

The Sicilian Region has officially introduced its newly built RoPax ferry, COSTANZA I DI SICILIA, which will be operated by Caronte & Tourist. Constructed by Fincantieri at its Palermo shipyard, the vessel represents a major milestone for regional maritime transport.

Following the successful completion of technical sea trials this week, the ship is scheduled to enter full operational service before mid-August.

She will be deployed on the regular route connecting Porto Empedocle with the Pelagie Islands of Lampedusa and Linosa.

Key specifications

  • Length: 140 metres
  • Gross tonnage: 14,500 GT
  • Capacity: 1,000 passengers and 200 cars
  • Maximum speed: 19 knots
  • Cabins: 137
  • Dual-fuel engines powered by marine gas oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG)
  • Zero emissions in port through the use of photovoltaic panels and a dedicated battery pack
  • Advanced stabilisation system designed to ensure safe docking in rough sea conditions
Jul 14
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BLUE STAR CHIOS Returned with Scrubber Fitted

By 2026 Newsletter week 28

BLUE STAR CHIOS returned to her regular service between Piraeus and the Southeastern Aegean islands on 6 July 2026 following a three-month refit at ONEX Shipyards Elefsis, which included the installation of a scrubber. The popular Blue Star vessel was also fitted with a new funnel and achieved 26.5 knots during sea trials. Built in Greece in 2007, she carries 1,752 passengers (252 berths) and 430 cars.

Photo: Dimitris Mendakis

Jul 14
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SUPERSTAR Returns on the Rafina – Cyclades Run

By 2026 Newsletter week 28

On 18 July 2026, SUPERSTAR (ex-SUPERFERRY II, PRINCE LAURENT) is expected to return to the Rafina – Andros – Tinos – Mykonos route after her sale to Seajets in 2021. The legendary vessel will be the fourth Seajets ship serving the line and will sail daily from Rafina (except Tuesdays) at 08:35. She is expected to remain on the route until 6 September.

The ship currently serves on the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos-Cythera line until 15 July,

Built in Belgium at Cockerill Yards, Hoboken, in 1974, she carries 1,480 passengers and 240 cars and sails at 19 knots.

Photo Charalampos Symeonidis

Jul 14
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New High-Speed Ferry Link Relaunched by Jadrolinija Between Croatia and Italy

By 2026 Newsletter week 28

After more than a decade, Zadar has once again been connected with the Italian port city of Ancona by a fast passenger sea route operated by Jadrolinija with the catamaran JELENA.

The seasonal international service resumed on 3 July and is being served by a vessel able to accommodate 300 passengers. It operates several times a week, with departures from Zadar scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The catamaran leaves Gaženica Port at 08:00 and arrives in Ancona at 12:00. Return departures from Ancona are scheduled for 14:00.

Built in Singapore, the high-speed vessel JELENA has been part of Jadrolinija’s fleet since 2018 and is equipped with modern navigation systems and a wastewater treatment system. It is also adapted for passengers with reduced mobility, including accessible facilities and boarding infrastructure.

Jul 14
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Corsica Traffic Remains Broadly Stable in April 2026

By 2026 Newsletter week 28

Corsica recorded 237,800 ferry passengers in April 2026, a slight decline of 0.9% compared with April 2025. Air traffic fell more sharply, with 324,000 passengers, down 7.3% year-on-year. Tourist vehicle traffic through Corsican ports also decreased by 2.1% to 85,600 vehicles.

Freight traffic performed better. Maritime cargo volumes reached 183,800 tonnes, an increase of 3% compared with April 2025. Rail transport also showed strong growth, with 3.86 million passenger-kilometres, up 52.2% year-on-year.

Among ferry operators, Corsica Ferries remained the dominant player in April, carrying 67% of all maritime passengers, followed by Corsica Linea with 18%. French domestic routes accounted for 76% of ferry passenger traffic, while services to and from Italy represented 24%.

Jul 14
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Trelleborg Expands Shore Power Infrastructure

By 2026 Newsletter week 28

Trelleborgs Hamn is continuing its investment in shore power. Ferry berth 8 will be equipped with a new shore power connection for vessels operated by Stena Line.

The shipping company has already been using shore power for several years at berth 9 for its rail ferries SKÅNE and MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN. The new installation at berth 8 will enable additional vessels to receive fossil-free electricity generated by the port’s two wind turbines.

By connecting to shore power, vessels can switch off their auxiliary engines while alongside, reducing emissions of CO₂, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, while also lowering noise levels in and around the port.

The installation will be carried out by Actemium and is scheduled for completion in Q2 2027.

Jul 14
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Shore Power Project for Port of Ancona Advances

By 2026 Newsletter week 28

ShoreLink has been selected to supply shore power cable management systems for the Port of Ancona, one of the Adriatic’s leading ferry gateways, handling more than one million ferry and cruise passengers annually.

The project includes the delivery of one RoRoLink Mobile unit, five RoRoLink Fixed installations and five connection cabinets. The systems will provide shore power to RoRo and RoPax vessels, enabling them to switch off their engines while alongside and thereby reducing emissions and noise in the port area.

According to ShoreLink, the project will help support the Port of Ancona’s sustainability ambitions while accommodating future traffic growth. The company thanked the Central Adriatic Ports Authority and Consorzio Stabile F2B Società Consortile A.R.L. for their cooperation and confidence in the project.

Jul 14
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Sea-Cargo Adds Verdal to Its Regular Network

By 2026 Newsletter week 28

Sea-Cargo has expanded its route network with the addition of Verdal, one of the most important industrial ports in central Norway.

Located in Trøndelag, the port offers connections to major industrial and commercial centres, as well as direct access to Norway’s national road and rail networks.

Photo: Felix Seifert / Trondheim Havn IKS via Linkedin

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