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sandra

May 23
3

Facts, Figures and Finance

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

Gotlandsbolaget: Q1 Report Marked by Seasonal Impact and New Operations

  • Revenue: SEK 608.6 million (384.9)
  • Adjusted EBIT: SEK -177.3 million (-66.7)
  • Net result after tax: SEK -225.2 million (37.2)
  • Key factor: Integration of Go Nordic Cruiseline

The first quarter of 2025 showed a predictable seasonal loss for Gotlandsbolaget, exacerbated by the inclusion of the newly acquired Go Nordic Cruiseline. Both vessels, NORDIC PEARL and NORDIC CROWN, were out of service for upgrades, heavily impacting results.

Cruise demand in the Baltic remained weak, affecting Birka Gotland’s performance. Meanwhile, capital management was negatively affected by unrealised currency changes.

Strategic Updates:

  • Launch of Go Nordic Cruiseline (Oslo–Copenhagen).
  • Order placed for the hydrogen-ready GOTLAND HORIZON X, a large-scale catamaran.

Leadership Changes:

  • Björn Nilsson to become CEO from 7 July.
  • Current CEO Håkan Johansson will take on the role of Deputy CEO and lead Destination Gotland.

Political Concern:
The Swedish government has yet to clarify the future of the tonnage tax. Without reforms by 2025, Gotland traffic will be managed from Denmark as of 2027, due to lack of competitive parity.

Looking Ahead:
Summer preparations are under way, with increased departures for Destination Gotland and Birka Gotland. Go Nordic Cruiseline also prepares for its first high season under Gotlandsbolaget ownership, with marketing launched in both Norway and Denmark.

Q1 Report: in Swedish

May 23
3

HSW’s HIGHSPEED 3 Enters Service on Piraeus–Cyclades–Heraklion Route

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

On 16 May 2025, HIGHSPEED 3 began commercial operations for Hellenic Seaways, serving the Piraeus–Syros–Mykonos–Naxos–Ios–Santorini–Heraklion route. The vessel will operate on this line until 6 October 2025.

  • Acquired: Early September 2024 from Fast Ferries
  • Purpose: To strengthen Attica Group’s presence in the Crete service market
  • Operates alongside: Highspeed 4

Schedule:

  • Daily departure from Heraklion at 07:30
  • Daily departure from Piraeus at 08:30

With the addition of Highspeed 3, Attica Group aims to enhance connectivity between Piraeus, the Cyclades, and Crete, offering high-speed service during the busy summer season.

May 23
3

Two ‘Made-in-Germany’ Ferries Find Very Different Fates

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

The Vincenzo Onorato-controlled ferry company Moby has recently parted with two veteran, German-built vessels: MOBY ZAZA and MOBY DREA.

MOBY ZAZA, now reflagged under the San Marino ship register, has been sold to an Asia-based operator and will serve as a floating hotel in the Far East. The new technical manager is Venture Ship Management Europe, part of the Wah Kwong Group of Hong Kong.
This 40-year-old RoPax ship was built in 1982 by A.G. Weser Seebeck Werft and offers capacity for 1,500 passengers and over 1,500 lane metres.

MOBY DREA, by contrast, is destined for dismantling. The vessel has just been delivered to its new owner and is bound for a scrapyard in Aliağa, Turkey. Built in 1975 at Flenderwerke in Germany, the ship has capacity for 1,700 passengers and nearly 1,000 lane metres.

MOBY ZAZA Photo: Pianeta Navi/Wikipedia

MOBY DREA Photo: Lucarelli/Wikipedia

May 23
3

Ports and Routes

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

Strait of Gibraltar Transit Plan Approved – 4% More Pax Expected

The Spanish Ministry of the Interior has approved the Special Plan for Operación Paso del Estrecho (OPE) 2025, a large-scale logistical operation facilitating the summer transit of Maghreb-origin citizens travelling between Europe and North Africa.

  • Operational period: 15 June – 15 September 2025
  • Expected traffic: Over 3 million passengers and 800,000 vehicles
  • Forecast: +4% passengers, +5% vehicles compared to 2024

Key elements of the plan:

  • Fleet Plan: Defines vessels, capacity, and scheduled crossings to ensure smooth flow
  • Port coordination: Covers 9 Spanish ports – Algeciras, Tarifa, Almería, Málaga, Motril, Alicante, Valencia, Ceuta, and Melilla
  • Multi-agency deployment: Involves 20 national and regional organisations, with over 29,000 personnel, including police, health services, and volunteers

The plan also emphasises:

  • Bilateral coordination with Morocco
  • Advance ticket purchase to minimise port congestion
  • Crisis readiness and safety protocols

Now in its 36th edition, OPE continues to be one of Europe’s largest annual seasonal migration operations by sea.

May 23
3

New Algerian Operator Andalouza to Challenge Algérie Ferries on Spain Routes?

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

A new player is (possibly) entering the Algerian maritime passenger transport market. Andalouza, a brand launched by Madar Maritime Company—a subsidiary of the public conglomerate Madar Holding—is set to commence operations in June 2025, offering services between Algeria and Spain.

Key Details:

  • Operator: Andalouza (Madar Maritime Company)
  • Vessel: ROMANTIKA (not yet confirmed by Tallink Grupp)
  • Routes: Algeria (Oran and Mostaganem) to Alicante and Almería
  • Start Date: June 2025 (remark: how is that possible when the ferry is still in the Baltic?)

The introduction of Andalouza aims to provide a competitive alternative to the state-owned Algérie Ferries, addressing long-standing concerns over service quality, pricing, and capacity constraints during peak travel seasons.

May 23
3

Baleària and Boluda Submit Bids for Naviera Armas

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

Spanish ferry operators Baleària and Boluda Corporación Marítima have submitted non-binding bids to acquire Naviera Armas. The sale process is being managed by investment funds including JP Morgan, Barings, Cheyne, Bain, and Tresidor, who took control of Naviera Armas after capitalizing its debt.

Key Details:

  • Baleària, advised by Deloitte, is bidding for two of the three main operational areas of Naviera Armas: the Canary Islands and the Alboran Sea routes. There is also an option to include the Strait of Gibraltar routes.
  • Boluda, advised by KPMG, has partnered with a group of Canarian investors, including Rodolfo Núñez, president of the airline Binter, as well as companies like Satocan and Astican. Their bid focuses on maintaining and strengthening maritime connections within the Canary Islands.
  • Spanish media also write that DFDS is interested in acquiring a smaller portion of Naviera Armas, specifically targeting the Strait of Gibraltar routes. Also Stena and MSC are sometimes mentioned.
  • The shipping company’s valuation in the sale is estimated at around €200 million.

 Trasmediterránea (Balearic routes) was sold to Grimaldi in 2021 and became Grimaldi Trasmed.

May 23
3

Baleària Enhances Tarifa–Tangier Ville Route with Additional Fast Ferry

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

On 23 May 2025, Baleària will introduce the high-speed ferry JAUME I to its Tarifa–Tangier Ville route, increasing daily departures from four to six in each direction. The JAUME I has a capacity for over 600 passengers and 150 vehicles. Baleària plans to further increase frequencies to 8–12 daily sailings in the coming weeks, depending on demand.

This expansion follows Baleària’s launch of the route on 8 May 2025, initially operated with the AVEMAR DOS ferry.

Baleària has secured a 15-year concession to operate this route, committing to invest in two zero-emission electric fast ferries by 2027, aiming to establish the first intercontinental green maritime corridor between Europe and Africa.

May 23
3

Naviera Armas Plans New High-Speed Route Between Gran Canaria and Tenerife

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

Naviera Armas is exploring a new high-speed maritime route between Arguineguín (Gran Canaria) and Los Cristianos (Tenerife).

  • Aims to directly connect the two main tourist hubs of the Canary Islands
  • Designed to ease pressure on the congested ports of Agaete and Las Palmas
  • Would improve inter-island mobility for both passengers and freight

The project is seen as a strategic enhancement of the current transport network in the archipelago.

May 23
3

Finnlines Launches Green Lane – Emissions Cut by Up to 90%

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

Finnlines introduces Green Lane, a new sea transportation service designed to reduce emissions through the use of electricity and biofuels.

Key Points:

  • Launch date: 22 May 2025
  • Two Green Lane options:
    • 100% electric-powered shipments (Naantali–Kapellskär)
    • Biofuel-powered shipments on key Baltic routes

Electric Option:

  • Available on Naantali–Kapellskär route using FINNSIRIUS and FINNCANOPUS
  • Ships equipped with 5 MWh batteries, charged at berth with shore power
  • Enables fossil-free transport for selected freight
  • Despite larger capacity, CO₂ emissions per nautical mile down by 22%

Biofuel Option:

Routes: Naantali–Kapellskär, Malmö–Travemünde, Malmö–Świnoujście, Hanko–Gdynia

  • Biofuels from renewable sources
  • Up to 90% GHG reduction well-to-wake
  • Example: 700 kg CO₂ reduction per trailer (Hanko–Gdynia)

For Passengers:

  • Available on all Finnlines’ passenger routes
  • Emissions offset with renewable biofuels equivalent to passenger volume
May 23
3

Merna Shipping Announces New RoRo Line from the Mediterranean to Egypt and the UAE

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

The Spanish shipping company Merna Shipping has announced a new RoRo service called the Mediterranean Express Service (MES), sailing from Spain, France, and Italy to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This new service connects Alicante, Marseille, and Genoa with Alexandria, Jeddah, and Jebel Ali.

“The new MES service is designed to provide a reliable, high-quality, and schedule-adherent transportation solution. Our first sailing is scheduled for the first week of June from Alicante, maintaining the announced rotation,” said Operations Manager Ghannem Abdelwaheb.

Earlier this year, Merna Shipping emerged as the buyer of the RoRo ship EUROCARGO ISTANBUL from the Grimaldi Group.