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sandra

Oct 03
3

Cetasol Launches Ferry Program — Invites Ferry Companies for Co-Development

By | 2025 Newsletter week 40 | No Comments
  • Cetasol, developer of the AI-based decision support system iHelm, is launching a Ferry Program in Q4 2025.
  • iHelm enables 10–25% fuel savings, performance insights, compliance support, and maximised uptime for small and medium-sized vessels.
  • Ferry owners are invited to join, using iHelm onboard while providing feedback to shape ferry-specific features.
  • Participants will gain real-time fuel-saving recommendations, fleet dashboards, and digital twin modelling.
  • At the end of the program, operators may purchase the system at a discounted price without binding obligations.

Are you a ferry owner and want to be a part of the program? Visit this link and submit your interest today; the spots are limited.

Oct 03
3

Sweden Plans Record Infrastructure Investments

By | 2025 Newsletter week 40 | No Comments
  • Trafikverket has presented its draft national transport infrastructure plan for 2026–2037.
  • The budget increases by SEK 200 billion to SEK 1,171 billion.
  • Measures include:
    • Clearing the road maintenance backlog by 2037.
    • Faster expansion of the highest bearing class for longer and heavier vehicles.
    • Investments in 2+1 roads and private roads.
    • More rest areas.
    • Actions supporting fossil-free transport and security policy demands.
  • Sveriges Åkeriföretag welcomes the plan, stressing the importance of improved road capacity and municipal involvement.
  • The plan is now out for consultation, with feedback to follow.
Oct 03
3

Ålands Folkrederi Denied EU Funding for Hybrid Ferry Project

By | 2025 Newsletter week 40 | No Comments
  • Ålands Folkrederi’s application for €86,400 in ERDF funding has been rejected.
  • The grant was intended to cover half the cost of a project manager from September 2025 to March 2026.
  • Former Viking Line technical director Kaj Jansson was set to lead development of a building specification for a planned battery-hybrid ferry.
  • The group, so far working voluntarily, estimated the specification could be finalised in seven months.

Source: Ålandsradio

Oct 03
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 40 | No Comments

Bluebridge have sold STRAIT FERONIA. She has been renamed PAN LILY and her new owners are Pan Shipping Co from Egypt.  She will join her sister, PELAGOS EXPRESS on the Red Sea.

Photo: BlueBridge Cook Strait

Sep 26
3

Four Shipyards Shortlisted for Northern Isles Freight Ferries

By | 2025 Newsletter week 39 | No Comments
  • Transport Scotland has informed that procurement of two new freight ferries for the Northern Isles has progressed to the Invite to Tender stage.
  • The vessels aim to strengthen network resilience and support island communities.
  • Initial assessments reviewed shipyard facilities, capacity and capability.
  • Four shortlisted yards will now be invited to tender (alphabetical order):
    • Cemre – Turkey
    • GSI – China
    • Stena UK with reliance partner CMJL (Weihai)
Sep 26
3

P&O Ferries Switches PRIDE OF HULL to Biofuel

By | 2025 Newsletter week 39 | No Comments
  • PRIDE OF HULL is the first ferry on the Hull–Rotterdam route to run permanently on lower-carbon biofuel.
  • The vessel now operates fully on Biofuel B30, following successful trials.
  • The 215m ferry carries 1,360 passengers and 400 freight vehicles.
  • Biofuel B30 cuts lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by about 20% compared with traditional marine fuel.
  • The move helps P&O Ferries comply with the EU’s FuelEU Maritime regulation, effective January 2025.
  • The decision follows consultation with Wärtsilä and fuel suppliers. Biofuel B30 was chosen as the most practical solution, requiring no costly conversions.
  • This transition builds on previous carbon savings of over 135,000 tonnes from hybrid deployment and fleet optimisation.
Sep 26
3

CLdN Publishes 2024 Emission Data: Best CO₂ Efficiency in Short Sea Shipping

By | 2025 Newsletter week 39 | No Comments

CLdN has published its 2024 fleet emission data, confirming its position as the most carbon-efficient short sea operator (according to its press release).

The company says it achieved a weighted average of 37g CO₂/tonne-km, down from 39g in 2023. “This performance is 9% better than its nearest competitor, over 30% better than the peer group average, and twice as efficient as road transport by heavy goods vehicle.

CLdN’s results reflect significant investment in larger, fuel-efficient RoRo ships and eco-upgrades of existing vessels, with EUR 750 million invested over the past decade. The fleet now includes more than 30 ships, with an average age of 14 years, compared to the peer group average of 18 years

COO Gary Walker said: “High-efficiency ships combined with proactive operational management continue to position CLdN as a leader. With the arrival of our new hybrid vessels CHAUMINE and LEONINE, we are confident we will drive emissions per tonne down further.”

More information will be available in CLdN’s upcoming Carbon Report.

Source: CLdN

Sep 26
3

Construction of Seven Small Electric Ferries Gets Underway

By | 2025 Newsletter week 39 | No Comments

Work has officially begun on seven new loch-class electric ferries for Scotland’s island communities, following the steel-cutting ceremony at Remontowa Shipbuilding in Gdańsk, Poland.

The Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP) will deliver seven fully electric ferries in this first phase, a £160 million investment from the Scottish Government. The shipbuilding contract is valued at £147.5 million. Delivery of the first vessel is expected in 2027.

The new ferries will serve routes including Colintraive–Rhubodach, Lochaline–Fishnish, Tarbert–Portavadie, Iona–Fionnphort, Sconser–Raasay, Tobermory–Kilchoan and Tayinloan–Gigha. Through cascading, the Largs–Cumbrae and Oban–Lismore routes will also benefit.

Rendering: Navalue

SVRP steel cutting – Mr Andzej Aksman, Project Director at Rementowa Shipbuilding with Kevin Hobbs, CEO of CMAL

Sep 26
3

Corsica Ferries Launches Tender for New RoPax ‘Bastia-max’

By | 2025 Newsletter week 39 | No Comments

Corsica Ferries has revived its long-awaited RoPax newbuilding programme, with tenders now underway. The project, first unveiled in 2018 for the company’s 50th anniversary but shelved during the pandemic, has been reworked by NAOS Ship & Boat Design.

The new “Bastia-max” class is designed for Bastia port flexibility. Key specifications are: length 180 metres, capacity for 500 cars, 500 cabins and 2,200 passengers. Options for a second and third unit are also included.

Potential builders in China are Guangzhou Shipyard International (CSSC), China Merchants Industry, Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) and Wuhu Shipyard.

Corsica Ferries, controlled by Pierre Mattei, currently owns 11 ferries: the RoRo ROSA DEI VENTI (on long-term charter to Grendi), and ten RoPax units including PASCAL LOTA (2008), MEGA EXPRESS (2001), MEGA EXPRESS TWO (2001), MEGA EXPRESS THREE (2001), MEGA EXPRESS FOUR (1995), MEGA EXPRESS FIVE (1993), MEGA ANDREA (1986), MEGA SMERALDA (1985), MEGA REGINA (1985) and MEGA VICTORIA (1988).