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Oct 21
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Tallink reports higher passenger and freight volumes in Q3

By 2026 Newsletter week 42

Tallink Grupp carried 1.82 million passengers in the third quarter of 2026, up 2.8% year on year, while cargo volumes increased by 7.8% to 64,980 units.

  • Estonia–Finland: passenger numbers rose by 1.5% to 1,183,760, while cargo volumes increased by 15.9% to 51,467 units.
  • Finland–Sweden: passenger numbers grew by 5.3% to 458,650, with cargo volumes up 20.5% to 9,510 units.
  • Estonia–Sweden: passenger numbers increased by 5.8% to 173,764, but cargo volumes fell by 50.1% to 4,003 units. The comparison reflects the closure of the Paldiski–Kapellskär service following the charter of SUPERFAST IX from 1 May 2026.
  • Passenger vehicles: total volumes declined by 1.1% to 249,100.

For September alone, Tallink carried 405,069 passengers, up 4.5%, and 23,386 cargo units, up 10.0%. Passenger vehicle volumes remained broadly unchanged at 56,010.

https://image.tallink.com/image/upload/grupp/documents/traffic-volumes/2026/2026-09-traffic-volumes-en.pdf

Oct 21
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DFDS September freight volumes stable as North Sea and Mediterranean grow

By 2026 Newsletter week 42

DFDS carried 3.49m lane metres of freight in September 2026, down 0.3% year-on-year, while passenger numbers fell 4.7% to 403,000.

North Sea: Higher Continent–UK volumes offset a slowdown in Scandinavian automotive traffic.

Mediterranean: Freight volumes increased, with growth across most of the network.

Channel: Volumes declined, reflecting a contraction in the overall ferry freight market.

Baltic Sea and Strait of Gibraltar: Volumes fell amid slower freight activity in both regions.

Passengers: The decline was mainly attributable to lower Strait of Gibraltar volumes.

Over the last 12 months, freight volumes increased 0.3% to 41.8m lane metres, but fell 0.5% when adjusted for route changes. Passenger numbers declined 10.5% to 4.9m, or 6.4% on a route-adjusted basis.

Oct 21
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Arab Bridge Maritime reports record profit as fleet expands

By 2026 Newsletter week 42

Arab Bridge Maritime recorded profits exceeding USD 40 million in the first nine months of 2026, while fleet additions will bring its total to at least 11 vessels.

The result to 30 September already exceeds the company’s record full-year profit of USD 32 million in 2025. Revenue, assets, capital and equity also reached historic highs. Truck volumes increased by 15%, while passenger traffic continued to grow.

The fleet expansion comprises:

  • AL JISR, a RoPax accommodating 85 trucks and 254 passengers. (Former CIUDAD DE IBIZA, SUPER-FAST GALICIA)
  • ASHUR, a high-speed passenger-only ferry with capacity for 312 passengers. (MAJESTIC HARMONY)

More ships to be announced soon.

The stronger financial position will support further fleet modernisation, new routes and revenue diversification. Preparations are under way for services between Safaga and Duba, linking Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Photo: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Jisr#/media/File:Super-fast_Galicia,_Puerto_de_la_Bah%C3%ADa_de_C%C3%A1diz.jpg

Oct 21
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Stena Line to acquire SOMERSET and redeploy vessels to Rotterdam–Harwich

By 2026 Newsletter week 42

Stena Line has agreed to acquire the RoRo vessel SOMERSET from CLdN for its Dublin–Liverpool freight service, enabling the redeployment of two owned vessels to Rotterdam–Harwich.

SOMERSET will be renamed STENA FREIGHTER and is expected to enter service in early December. The vessel previously operated within Stena Line’s network under charter.

The acquisition will bring the following network changes:

Dublin–Liverpool: STENA FREIGHTER will replace STENA SCOTIA and STENA HIBERNIA, returning the route to a single-vessel operation after operating with two vessels for most of 2026.

Rotterdam–Harwich: STENA SCOTIA and STENA HIBERNIA will maintain the two-vessel service, replacing the chartered MISTRAL and THULELAND. These will return to their respective owners, Godby Shipping and Wallenius SOL, at the end of the year.

Oct 21
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Stora Enso adopts Finnlines’ Green Lane for lower-carbon sea transport

By 2026 Newsletter week 42

Stora Enso has expanded its cooperation with Finnlines by adopting the shipping company’s Green Lane service for transporting packaging board and wood-based products.

Green Lane offers renewable biofuel and electricity-based alternatives to reduce transport-related emissions. According to Finnlines, the biofuel option can cut well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared with conventional fossil fuels.

For shipments covered by the service, Finnlines replaces an equivalent amount of fossil-fuel energy with alternative energy within its fleet network. Emission reductions are independently verified annually, and participating customers receive a certificate confirming the reported savings. The biofuel used is ISCC certified.

The service is available on selected routes and cargo flows, subject to renewable energy availability. Finnlines’ network connects industrial hubs across the Baltic Sea, North Sea and Bay of Biscay. Its services to Spain use Finneco-class hybrid RoRo vessels equipped with air lubrication systems, batteries and solar panels.

The collaboration supports Stora Enso’s efforts to reduce logistics-related emissions while maintaining existing supply chains and regular liner services.

Oct 21
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Destination Gotland cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 19%

By 2026 Newsletter week 42

Destination Gotland reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 19% in 2025, supported by increased use of liquefied biogas and operational improvements.

Emissions totalled 146,400 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent across the full fuel lifecycle, down 33,400 tonnes compared with 2024.

The dual-fuel ferries GOTLAND and VISBY can operate on liquefied biogas, natural gas or diesel. Increased biogas use helped the operator outperform FuelEU Maritime requirements, generating compliance surpluses made available to other shipping companies through Gotland Carbon Solutions. The proceeds support further purchases of fossil-free fuel.

More efficient berthing and departure procedures allow vessels to sail more slowly, reducing fuel consumption. New air-conditioning systems are also being installed on GOTLAND and VISBY during 2026 to lower electricity demand and fuel use.

Gotlandsbolaget aims to offer climate-neutral ferry and cruise operations by 2045 and says Destination Gotland is ahead of schedule.

Photo: Gotlandsbolaget

Oct 21
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Soya Group launches FLOW Maritime to support alternative fuel adoption

By 2026 Newsletter week 42

Soya Group has launched FLOW Maritime, a marine energy transition company that aims to help shipowners strengthen the business case for adopting alternative fuels.

Led by Managing Director Daniel Gent, the company brings together:

  • Alternative fuel portfolio management.
  • Certification and chain-of-custody management.
  • FuelEU pooling.
  • Commercial management of environmental attributes.

FLOW Maritime’s approach combines fuel supply, regulatory compliance and the value of emissions reductions within one commercial model. The company says considering these elements together can improve the economics of lower-carbon operations beyond an assessment based solely on fuel prices.

Part of Soya Group, FLOW Maritime will draw on its owner’s maritime experience, with an emphasis on transparency, traceability and verifiable environmental benefits.

https://news.cision.com/soya-group/r/soya-group-launches-flow-maritime,c4407428

AI visualisation. Photo: FLOW Maritime.

Oct 21
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DFDS completes Algeciras–Tangier Med acquisition but drops Ceuta deal

By 2026 Newsletter week 42

DFDS has completed the acquisition of Naviera Armas’ Algeciras–Tangier Med ferry operations following approval from the Spanish and Moroccan competition authorities.

The transaction is valued at DKK 165m.

The acquisition includes the 2004-built RoPax VOLCAN DE TAMASITE, route operating permits and the transfer of around 200 employees. (ferry to be renamed MARHABA SEAWAYS)

DFDS’ share of capacity on a RoRo (EOS) used jointly by operators on the Algeciras–Tangier Med route will also increase from 33% to 50%.

The acquired operations will be integrated into DFDS’ existing Algeciras–Tangier Med service, expanding its freight and passenger offering and adding scale in a growing market.

DFDS will not proceed with the separate acquisition of Naviera Armas’ Algeciras–Ceuta operations. The company said the Spanish competition authority’s requirements exceeded the conditions agreed for the transaction.

DFDS maintains its 2026 capital expenditure outlook at DKK 1.7bn, with the acquisition cost expected to be offset by lower operating capital expenditure. Its adjusted free cash flow outlook also remains unchanged, as this measure excludes acquisition expenditure.

Oct 21
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Tender launched for next Dieppe–Newhaven ferry concession

By 2026 Newsletter week 42

The Syndicat Mixte Transmanche has launched the selection process for the next public service concession covering passenger and freight ferry services between Dieppe and Newhaven (currently operated by DFDS).

  • Contract period: five years from 1 January 2028, following the expiry of the current concession on 31 December 2027.
  • Application deadline: 6 November 2026 at 16:00.
  • Minimum service: 1,690 crossings per year, equivalent to 845 return trips.
  • Estimated concession value: €271m excluding VAT.
  • Flag requirement: vessels must operate under the French first register.
  • Operator responsibilities: commercial, technical and operational management of the route and its two vessels, including crewing, maintenance, investment and business development.
  • Selection process: an initial application phase, followed by an invitation for shortlisted candidates to submit offers.

Official concession notice and tender documents – reference DSP4

Oct 21
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TT-Line and Viking Line plan joint Finland–Estonia service

By 2026 Newsletter week 42

TT-Line will enter the Finland–Estonia ferry market through a cooperation with Viking Line, with a joint service between Vuosaari (Helsinki) and Muuga (Tallinn) planned to start in the first quarter of 2027.

The partners intend to deploy a RoPax vessel, which will be announced in November. The service will expand TT-Line’s network, providing additional options for freight customers and passengers.

As part of the cooperation, TT-Line also plans to offer its freight customers capacity on VIKING XPRS between Helsinki and Tallinn, complementing the Vuosaari–Muuga operation.

TT-Line CEO Bernhard Termühlen said the agreement would strengthen the transport corridor between Finland and Estonia. Viking Line President and CEO Marcus Risberg said the partnership would reinforce its freight business while developing a competitive, long-term alternative on the Vuosaari–Muuga route.

Photo: Muuga Harbour is one of the four harbours owned by Port of Tallinn and Estonia’s largest cargo harbour. © Port of Tallinn

Oct 21
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TT-Line adds Klaipėda–Vilnius link to intermodal network

By 2026 Newsletter week 42

TT-Line will launch a new intermodal connection between Klaipėda and Vilnius on 19 October 2026, extending its freight network in Lithuania.

The service will offer two round trips per week and accommodate both cranable and non-cranable trailers, linking Vilnius with TT-Line’s wider network through combined rail, sea and road transport.

New transport options include Vilnius–Oslo and Vilnius–Bettembourg in Luxembourg, with onward connections from Bettembourg to France and Spain.

Oct 21
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Claudio Veritiero to step down as Peel Ports Group CEO

By 2026 Newsletter week 42

Claudio Veritiero is stepping down as CEO of Peel Ports Group after nearly five years in the role and six years with the business.

Mark Whitworth, Non-Executive Chairman and former Group CEO, will become Executive Chairman on an interim basis while a successor is appointed.

Peel Ports credits Veritiero with delivering annual profitability growth of 9% and overseeing major investments, including:

  • A £30 million expansion of RoRo facilities at London Medway.
  • The £28 million Alexandra Complex warehousing development at the Port of Liverpool.
  • A £25 million investment in new ship-to-shore cranes at the Port of Greenock.

He also led the acquisition of Humber Bulk Terminal, expanding the Group’s infrastructure and capacity.

Oct 21
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Emanuele Grimaldi takes over as MISA President

By 2026 Newsletter week 42

Emanuele Grimaldi has been appointed President of the Malta International Shipowners Association (MISA), following its AGM in Valletta on 9 October. A founding member, he succeeds Marily Frangista, who becomes Vice President, while John Coustas remains Secretary/Treasurer.

The appointment comes as Malta’s ship register reaches 94 million gross tonnes, reinforcing its position as Europe’s largest. Grimaldi recently concluded his term as Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping and previously led Confitarma and European Shipowners (ECSA).

Oct 21
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Louisa Bell appointed CEO of Hullo operator

By 2026 Newsletter week 42

Vancouver Island Ferry Company (Hullo), has appointed Louisa Bell as CEO from January 2027.

Bell was most recently Chief Commercial Officer at P&O Ferries, overseeing customer strategy, sales, marketing, pricing and the onboard offering. She succeeds acting CEO Marco Ahrens, who will remain General Manager.

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