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sandra

Jan 10
Love2

Corsica Ferries Sold Elba Ferries to Blu Navy

By 2025 Newsletter week 02

Corsica Ferries will no longer operate the maritime link between the port of Piombino and Portoferraio on the Elba Islands. The company, controlled by Pierre Mattei, announced the sale of the Elba Ferries brand to BN di Navigazione (operating through Blu Navy).

The line, which has been operated every summer with the HSC CORSICA EXPRESS THREE, will now be chartered by Corsica Ferries to Blu Navy.

Over the course of 13 seasons, Elba Ferries transported more than 2.6 million passengers and over 830,000 vehicles on more than 13,000 trips, the company explained.

“The sale of Elba Ferries is part of our strategic plan, which, from 2025, will focus on the constant improvement of quality and the strengthening of our fleet. We will concentrate our energies, strategies, and investments on Corsica, Sardinia, and the Balearic Islands, as well as on new products such as mini-cruises,” said Sébastien Romani, Chief Sales Officer of Forship SPA (Corsica Sardinia Ferries).

Jan 10
Love2

Strike Announced at Corsica Linea and La Méridionale

By 2025 Newsletter week 02

The CGT union has called for a 48-hour strike from 13 to 15 January, raising concerns about foreign competition and the future of French maritime jobs. (note from editor: why strike at the companies who do fly the French flag?)

  • GNV Expansion: Italian operator GNV is reportedly planning a new ferry route between Sète and Algeria, adding to its services to Morocco.
  • Worker Protections: CGT warns that foreign-flagged ships, like GNV’s, operate under less protective regulations, creating unfair competition.
  • Public Service Funding: The union demands better funding for territorial continuity routes, crucial for connecting Corsica and other destinations.
  • Strike Goal: Protect jobs, support the French flag, and ensure fair competition in the maritime sector.

Remark: the three other unions will not strike.

Jan 10
Love2

GNV Rumoured to Launch New RoPax Line Between France and Algeria

By 2025 Newsletter week 02

MSC-controlled ferry operator GNV has not commented on market rumours, but multiple sources suggest the company is preparing to inaugurate a new RoPax line connecting the port of Sète in southern France with Algeria.

The French publication Le Marin reported this week that GNV recently secured the necessary authorisations in France. However, this development has sparked concerns among labour unions about increased competition, which could impact existing operators such as Algérie Ferries and Corsica Linea.

Jan 10
Love2

Fanølinjen Back on Track

By 2025 Newsletter week 02

In both 2022 and 2023, the number of cars transported by Fanølinjen decreased, but that pattern now appears to have been broken. This is largely the result of good cooperation with Fanø municipality throughout 2024. Also passengers and freight numbers have increased.

  • +12% cars (from 410,656 in the year 2023 to 460,450 in last year)
  • +2.4% pax (from 1,868,784 to 1,914,308)
  • +5% truck (from 8,796 to 9,240)

Fanølinjen, part of Molslinjen, is a Danish ferry line between Esbjerg and the island of Fanø.

Jan 10
Love2

More Freight for Langelandslinjen Ferries because of Fixed Link Construction

By 2025 Newsletter week 02

For freight, 2024 was a record year for Langelandslinjen. Many of the trucks were carrying materials for the construction of the Fehmarnbelt connection.

+12% trucks (from 28,716 to 33,795)

-1% pax (from 536,803 to 531,511)

-1% cars (from 218,505 to 216,009)

Langelandslinjen, part of Molslinjen, is a ferry line between Spodsbjerg and Tårs (Denmark).

The distance to Rødby from Tårs is 42km.

Jan 10
Love3

Bornholmlinjen Passes the Two Million Pax Mark

By 2025 Newsletter week 02

For the first time Bornholm Line’s ferries had more than two million travellers to and from the Danish Island: 2,005,564 passengers took the return trip on one of the three routes to Bornholm in 2024.

Throughout 2025, EXPRESS 5 will sail side by side with EXPRESS 1. The latter will be rebuilt to be more identical to EXPRESS 5 (with a larger shop).

Bornholmlinjen, part of Molslinjen, connects the Danish Island of Bornholm with Ystad (Sw), Köge (Dk) and Sassnitz (Ge).

Jan 10
Love2

Enhancing Connectivity: Gasay Ferry Terminal and Mallaig-Lochboisdale Vessel Development Projects

By 2025 Newsletter week 02

CMAL published updates on two major projects as part of their public engagement efforts:

Gasay Ferry Terminal Development: This includes updates on the design and development of ferry terminal options for Gasay, with a focus on providing a robust business case for Transport Scotland’s approval. The project evaluates different terminal options (e.g., “Do Nothing,” “Do Minimum,” and “Do Something”) and includes economic assessments, wave modelling, and dynamic mooring analyses.

Mallaig – Lochboisdale New Vessel (MLNV) Project: This involves designing a replacement for the ageing ferry LORD OF THE ISLES. The new vessel aims to incorporate community feedback, improve accessibility, and adopt greener technologies, such as diesel-electric hybrid propulsion. The project also discusses associated shore power infrastructure and port studies.

Both projects emphasise public and stakeholder engagement, economic evaluation, and alignment with Transport Scotland’s investment objectives.

The document (PDF) can be read and downloaded here: https://www.cmassets.co.uk/presentation-materials-mallaig-lochboisdale-new-vessel/

Jan 10
Love2

Ardrossan Harbour Project Stalls as GLEN SANNOX Launches from Troon

By 2025 Newsletter week 02

Kevin Hobbs, CMAL’s chief executive, told MSPs that funding talks with Ardrossan Harbour’s private owner remain “in the middle of nowhere.”

Ferry GLEN SANNOX, launching next week, will operate temporarily from Troon with three daily return crossings due to longer journey times. Ardrossan will see no CalMac sailings until the CALEDONIAN ISLES returns from repairs in March.

Approved in 2018, the Ardrossan Harbour Project was paused in 2023 over rising costs. Existing facilities are unsuitable for safely berthing larger vessels, delaying progress further.

Source: BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3wegzddy3xo

Jan 10
Love2

Port of Valencia Implements its Own 5G Connection Network

By 2025 Newsletter week 02
  • This 5G network project is emerging as a key tool for the Port of Valencia to advance in its digital transformation.
  • The infrastructure will make it possible to work without cables or ties to external operators, with more than 25,000 connected devices: phones, vehicles, surveillance cameras, environmental sensors, security services and drones, among others.
  • The initiative has a budget of nearly six million euros, co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and Environment.
  • Will operate independently of the criteria of a mobile operator.
Jan 10
Love1

IMAGE CARDS

By 2025 Newsletter week 02

Fred Olsen Express’ newest ship, BARLOVENTO EXPRESS, began operations on Sunday, 29 December 2024, connecting Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with Morro Jable in Fuerteventura. This high-speed ferry, which has a capacity of 866 passengers, 271 vehicles, and dedicated spaces for pets, brings the fleet total to 13 vessels.

Photo: Fred. Olsen EXpress

Tallink Silja Oy has signed a contract with Slaapschepen Public BV, an organisation nominated by Centraal Orgaan opvang asielzoekers (COA), to continue chartering the company’s vessel SILJA EUROPA to the Netherlands for six months starting from 1 January 2025 (with an option to extend the contract for an additional 7 + 6 + 6 months).

SILJA EUROPA has been chartered to the Netherlands since August 2022 to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.

Photo: Tallink Silja – Marko Stampehl

ANEK Lines’ pair of ferries, KRITI I (ex-New Suzuran, 1979) and KRITI II (ex-New Yukari, 1979), have been laid up in Elefsis Bay as of October 7, 2024, and November 2, 2024, respectively. This marks the probable conclusion of their remarkable service careers within the Greek ferry scene.

After 28 years of distinguished service in Hellenic coastal shipping, reports suggest that the two ships may soon be sold for scrap.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

After 12 years of lay-up in Elefsis Bay, PENELOPE A (ex-HORSA, 1972) of Agoudimos Lines has been sold for scrap. This legendary former Sealink vessel was purchased in February 1992 and deployed on the Rafina–Andros–Tinos–Mykonos route in the summer of that same year.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

FRS expands its presence on the Rhine by taking over the historic Loreley Ferry Line, a connection with over 500 years of history between Sankt Goar and Sankt Goarshausen. This marks the second acquisition in the region within a short period, further solidifying FRS’s commitment to the Rhine and the Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage area.

LEONINE, the second of two G9 RoRo vessels for CLdN, has been launched at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard. The 234-metre ship boasts advanced engines, 6 MW shaft generators, and future-proof flexibility, cutting CO2 emissions by 40% compared to CELINE and DELPHINE while maintaining the same cargo capacity.

Photo: CLdN

The conversion of RoRo CABO STAR (ex EUROCARGO SAVONA) into a RoPax is well underway at Astilleros de Santander, a first collaboration with Baja Ferries.

The project involves constructing a new accommodation block, accommodating up to 399 passengers in double cabins and seats. Prefabricated steel blocks are being lifted onboard, paving the way for interior retrofitting, including saloons and common areas.

Photo: Astilleros de Santander

Gondan Shipyards launched its 500th newbuild. It is a ferry, with a capacity of 540 passengers, and the eighth in the series built for TTSL – Transtejo Soflusa.

Photo Astilleros Gondan

La Méridionale found a buyer for PELAGOS, in Egypt. The vessel will leave the fleet in spring.

Buyers unknown.

Photo: Jean-Pierre Fabre