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sandra

Mar 20
Love3

CMAL Selects GSI For Northern Isles Freight Flex Ferries

By 2026 Newsletter week 12

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) intends to award a contract to Guangzhou Shipyard International Co., Ltd (GSI), China. A mandatory 10-day standstill period is now underway.

The contract covers two 140m freight flex ferries. These vessels will replace HELLAR and HILDASAY on services operated by Serco NorthLink Ferries.

Key features:

  • Increased freight capacity
  • Higher operating speeds
  • Space for up to 200 passengers during peak periods

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, said the project marks an important milestone. She highlighted:

  • Improved freight and passenger capacity
  • Faster crossings
  • Greater reliability for Northern Isles communities and businesses

Kevin Hobbs, CEO CMAL, said GSI demonstrated strong innovation and efficiency. He added that the yard meets recognised environmental and safety standards.

The vessels have been designed by Navalue and LMG Marin.

Mar 20
Love3

BC Ferries Launches 10th Island Class Vessel

By 2026 Newsletter week 12

BC Ferries has launched ISLAND K’ASA, the final vessel in the current Island Class series, at Damen Shipyards Galați.

The ferry will enter service in early 2027 on the Campbell River – Quadra Island route. Once all four newbuilds are delivered, the Island Class will total 10 vessels, becoming BC Ferries’ largest class.

The ships offer significant capacity gains versus 2019:

  • +71% vehicles
  • +135% passengers

They feature hybrid-electric propulsion and are designed for future full-electric operation.

The programme is part of BC Ferries’ broader fleet renewal, with eight new vessels due between 2026 and 2031.

From left to right:

Katarzyna Zaluska (Kasia), Richard Tijpens, Jeroen de Smidt, Marian Stahuliak, Dragos Cojocariu, Ryan Tuira, David Tolman, Sebastian Fritz, Leo Postma, Darren Wilson, Darryl Dunbar, and Stefan Barbuta.

Photo: BC Ferries on Linkedin

Mar 20
Love3

£3M Funding Moves Rosyth–Dunkirk Ferry Closer

By 2026 Newsletter week 12
  • UK Government commits £3 million to upgrade Rosyth port infrastructure
  • New route would link Scotland to mainland Europe after 15 years
  • Freight and passenger service under discussion with DFDS
  • Aims to boost trade, tourism and export capacity

The proposed Rosyth–Dunkirk ferry has taken a step forward, with funding supporting border and customs upgrades. The project remains subject to a commercial agreement and final approvals.

Source: UK Government

Mar 20
Love3

CMAL Takes Ownership of Ardrossan Harbour

By 2026 Newsletter week 12

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has completed the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour on behalf of the Scottish Government on 18 March 2026.

The acquisition from Peel Ports Group includes the full harbour area, the Arran and Irish berths, linkspans, car park and marshalling area, part of the land currently used by the boatyard, and the approach road.

Mar 20
Love3

Scotia Prince Cruises Plans Revival of Portsmouth–Nova Scotia Ferry

By 2026 Newsletter week 12

Scotia Prince Cruises has unveiled plans to revive the Portsmouth–Nova Scotia ferry with a focus on affordable, overnight passenger and freight services. The proposed operation will feature enhanced onboard amenities and seasonal deployment, while addressing past operational challenges. The company intends to bid for the upcoming Nova Scotia RFP, positioning the project as a boost for regional connectivity, tourism, and trade.

The route connects:

  • Portsmouth, New Hampshire – United States
  • Yarmouth, Nova Scotia – Canada

Website Scotia Prince Cruises

Mar 20
Love3

European Commission Updates Approved Ship Recycling List

By 2026 Newsletter week 12

The European Commission adopted the 15th edition of the European List of Ship Recycling Facilities on 27 February.

  • A first German yard has been added, located in Emden.
  • Four EU yards have been re-approved in Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, and Spain.
  • One yard in Türkiye also had its authorisation renewed.

Three shipyards were removed from the list:

  • A Finnish yard opted not to renew its authorisation.
  • A yard in Northern Ireland failed to provide the required renewal information.
  • Another yard in Türkiye was found non-compliant with the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, notably on shoreline protection.

The updated European List now contains 41 ship recycling facilities: 30 in Europe (EU, Norway and the UK), 10 in Türkiye and 1 in the United States. Several of these shipyards can recycle large vessels.

Source: European Commission (includes link to list)

Mar 20
Love3

Happy Pet Panel Gets ‘Paws Up’ as Demand for Pet Travel Surges

By 2026 Newsletter week 11
  • Stena Line research at Crufts 2026 shows 94% of respondents want to travel with pets
  • 67% have already travelled with pets; over 72,000 pets carried on the Irish Sea in 2025
  • Concerns remain: 27%+ cite pet comfort and welfare as barriers
  • 97% gain confidence from Stena Line working with experts via its Happy Pet Panel
  • Tripadvisor reports +260% YoY growth in demand for dog-friendly activities for 2026

Pet travel is moving firmly into the mainstream, with owners increasingly unwilling to leave animals behind. Ferry travel ranks as the second most popular option (22%), after car travel.

To address concerns, Stena Line has launched its Happy Pet Panel, bringing together experts, travellers, and staff to improve onboard pet facilities.

Pet-friendly cabins—available on key Irish Sea routes—are seen as the most attractive option, supporting the shift towards more comfortable and accessible pet travel.

Mar 13
Love3

Gotlandsbolaget 2025 Results: Integration Year Weighs on Profit

By 2026 Newsletter week 11

Gotlandsbolaget reported higher revenue in 2025 but a sharp drop in earnings, reflecting the integration of new businesses, especially Go Nordic Cruiseline.

Full Year 2025

  • Revenue: SEK 3,744.6 million (2024: SEK 2,622.0 million)
  • Costs: SEK -3,696.4 million (2024: SEK -2,367.8 million)
  • Adjusted operating profit: SEK 35.3 million (2024: SEK 218.2 million)
  • Net result after tax: SEK -87.3 million (2024: SEK 375.9 million)

The decline mainly reflects high start-up costs and lower-than-expected revenues at Go Nordic Cruiseline, which took over the Oslo–Copenhagen route on 31 October 2024.

Dockings and upgrades of NORDIC PEARL and NORDIC CROWN during Q1 also reduced capacity.

Fourth Quarter 2025

  • Revenue: SEK 759.3 million (2024: SEK 630.3 million)
  • Adjusted operating result: SEK -122.2 million (2024: SEK -60.6 million)
  • Net result after tax: SEK -120.2 million (2024: SEK 53.1 million)

The quarter was negatively affected by the performance of Go Nordic Cruiseline.

Business Unit Highlights

Go Nordic Cruiseline

  • 711,700 passengers in 2025
  • Revenue performance below expectations, especially onboard sales
  • Both ships refurbished and cabins rebuilt early in the year
  • New commercial platform implemented in January 2026

Gotland Alandia Cruises (BIRKA GOTLAND)

  • 570,500 passengers in 2025
  • Improved results compared with the 2024 start-up year
  • Performance still below expectations

Destination Gotland

  • Passenger volumes up 1.6% to 1,758,500 single journeys
  • Travel by Gotland residents increased 4.4%

Financial Position

Financial income fell to SEK -73.0 million (2024: SEK 289.4 million).

The change mainly reflects unrealised currency losses on USD holdings related to the construction of HORIZON X. The weaker USD also reduces the vessel’s acquisition cost in SEK.

Strategic Developments

Key initiatives include:

  • Investment in Brommaflyg to secure air links between Gotland and mainland Sweden
  • Construction progressing on GOTLAND HORIZON X, with hull construction starting in February 2026
  • Investment in biogas production near Eskilstuna, expected to start operations in Q3 2026
  • Destination Gotland preparing for the new concession period 2027–2035, which will bring SEK 220 million less annual compensation

To increase car capacity, VISBY is currently being fitted with hanging decks, adding about 20% vehicle capacity.

Outlook

CEO Björn Nilsson describes 2025 as a year of integration and preparation.

With systems integration completed and new commercial platforms in place, the company expects higher volumes and improved profitability from 2026 onwards. The group also signals continued interest in acquisitions and investments in sustainable shipping.

The year-end report is here (in Swedish)

Mar 13
Love3

Eckerö Revises 2026 Outlook: Now Expects Lower Result

By 2026 Newsletter week 11

Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö has revised its outlook for 2026.

  • In the Year-end Report (26 February 2026), the company said it expected a continued stable result in 2026, despite geopolitical uncertainty.
  • However, in the financial statements signed on 12 March 2026, the wording changed.
  • The Board now states that geopolitical uncertainty combined with expected lower capital gains is estimated to result in a lower result in 2026.

The adjustment suggests a more cautious view compared with the guidance given only two weeks earlier.

Source: Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö, press release 12 March 2026.