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sandra

Sep 19
3

CLdN and Peel Ports Liverpool Have Big Plans

By | 2025 Newsletter week 38 | No Comments

CLdN plans to develop a new river berth for RoRo cargo vessels in Liverpool, in collaboration with Peel Ports Group.

The multi-million-pound investment will create a lock-free berth on the River Mersey, adjacent to CLdN’s existing facilities. This will allow seamless berthing of CLdN’s most efficient, higher-capacity ships.

  • Consent application expected: H2 2026
  • Construction could start: early 2028

Florent Maes, CEO of CLdN:

“This investment will bring significant benefits to customers, increase efficiency, and reduce the carbon footprint per freight unit. It underlines CLdN’s long-term commitment to developing port infrastructure and providing essential freight services between Great Britain and Ireland.”

Claudio Veritiero, CEO Peel Ports Group:

“CLdN’s investment is a strong vote of confidence in the Port of Liverpool. Together we will deliver a transformative project that enhances supply chain efficiency, cuts emissions, and creates lasting regional benefits.”

Source and Photo: CLdN

Sep 19
3

Baleària Files Lawsuit Against Ibiza Vehicle Restriction

By | 2025 Newsletter week 38 | No Comments

Baleària has lodged a lawsuit against the Agreement of the Consell d’Eivissa (28 March 2025), which enforces Law 7/2024 on vehicle traffic control for sustainable tourism.

The shipping company seeks:

  • Annulment of the restriction (valid until 30 September).
  • A constitutional review, arguing violation of fundamental rights: equality and mobility.

Key arguments:

  • Legal and technical inadequacy: reports by Universitat Jaume I and consulting firm Meteoclim claim the measure is ineffective, discriminatory, and amounts to “regulatory greenwashing.”
  • Minimal environmental benefit: the measure does not target the main source of congestion – resident vehicles – and lacks monitoring mechanisms.
  • Negative economic impact: restrictions harm maritime transport, while air passengers face no limits.
  • Unintended effects: vehicle registrations on Ibiza rose by over 70% (Feb–Jun 2025), bypassing the restriction.

Baleària President Adolfo Utor:

“We believe the Consell’s agreement is a political and management blunder and a legal botch… This measure seriously harms a strategic sector and paradoxically attacks what it claims to defend: the environment and maritime connectivity.”

The company will publish detailed evidence of the restriction’s impact in the coming days.

Sep 19
3

Baleària Launches AI Challenge With Marina de Empresas and Google Cloud

By | 2025 Newsletter week 38 | No Comments
  • Baleària has launched a new challenge at Marina de Empresas’ DataHub, in collaboration with Google Cloud.
  • Goal: develop an AI solution to improve customer experience using data such as occupancy, prices, promotions, weather, and market behaviour.
  • Participants will use Google Cloud’s Vertex AI and BigQuery, supported by experts from Sngular.
  • Programme runs 17–31 October, with final presentations on 31 October.
  • Open to students, faculty, startups, employees, and professionals with data/AI experience. Registration closes 10 October.

Source: Baleària (in Spanish)

Sep 19
3

New CEO for Lakeway Link

By | 2025 Newsletter week 38 | No Comments

The Board of Directors of Lakeway Link has appointed Per Zandrén as the company’s new CEO. He will take up his position on 4 November 2025, succeeding Göran Söderdahl, who will return to his role as a member of the company’s Board of Directors.

Lakeway Link is the sole shipping company offering scheduled RoRo transport for trailers and high and heavy cargo between Gdynia and Södertälje.

Lakeway Link is owned equally by Wallenius and Greencarrier.

Sep 19
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 38 | No Comments

Unity Line’s new RoPax, JANTAR UNITY, has started its sea trials on Monday 15 September.

On 17 September 2025, HSC TERA JET 2 (ex NATCHAN RERA) completed her summer service on the Piraeus–Paros–Naxos–Koufonisia–Schinousa route.
She had served the line since 18 July 2025.
Built in Australia in 2008, she carries 1,350 passengers and 270 cars. Service speed: 40 knots.

Photo: Seajets

On 14 September 2025, Africa Morocco Link’s MOROCCO SUN (ex LE RIF, GALLOWAY PRINCESS) ceased service on the Algeciras–Tanger Med route.
She moved to Tanger Ville, where AML markings were removed.
AML acquired her from Detroit World Logistics Maritime in 2016. She entered service in August 2019.
The ship is part of the well-known “Saints” series. Reports suggest she is either for sale or scrap.
Built in Belfast in 1980, she carries 1,000 passengers and 280 cars. Service speed: 19 knots.

Photo: Africa Morocco Link

Sep 12
3

Mixed August Volumes as Some Markets Slow

By | 2025 Newsletter week 37 | No Comments

Freight volumes in August 2025 totalled 3.1m lane metres, 1.9% below 2024 and 3.9% lower when adjusted for route changes. Year-to-date growth was flat at 0.1% and -1.2% adjusted.

North Sea volumes fell compared to 2024, mainly due to weaker activity on UK routes. Mediterranean traffic was lower, reflecting a slowdown in Turkish automotive production, weaker domestic demand, and reduced capacity on one route.

Channel volumes rose thanks to the new Jersey services. Baltic Sea volumes increased, while Strait of Gibraltar volumes matched last year.

Over the last twelve months (2025–24), freight volumes rose 2.5% to 41.6m lane metres from 40.6m. Adjusted for route changes, growth was 1.9%.

Passenger numbers fell. In August, adjusted volumes dropped 3.3% to 911,000, with year-to-date growth at -3.8%. Higher Baltic Sea volumes were offset by weaker Channel traffic. Cars carried were 3.2% below 2024 on an adjusted basis.

For the last twelve months, total passenger numbers decreased 10.1% to 5.6m from 6.2m. Adjusted for route changes, the decline was 3.0%.

Sep 12
3

Nearly 1.8 Million Travelled with Viking Line in Summer 2025

By | 2025 Newsletter week 37 | No Comments

Viking Line carried 1.78 million passengers between June and August 2025, slightly more than last year. Cargo volumes on its five vessels rose 3.6 per cent, while greenhouse gas emissions decreased thanks to higher biofuel use. For the first time, passengers could book a totally fossil-free journey.

The busiest routes were Helsinki–Tallinn with 738,000 passengers and Turku–Stockholm with a similar figure, while 304,000 travelled on the Helsinki–Stockholm service. Extra summer capacity was provided by VIKING CINDERELLA and GABRIELLA alongside VIKING XPRS.

Customer satisfaction reached a record high. Deputy CEO Peter Hellgren said the company was pleased with volumes and highlighted continued growth on the Estonian route, where Viking Line presented a new electric ferry concept earlier this year. Communications Director Johanna Boijer-Svahnström noted the rise of domestic tourism and strong demand from German and Chinese visitors.

Source: Viking Line

Sep 12
3

South Enabler Named In Turku

By | 2025 Newsletter week 37 | No Comments

On 11 September, the latest addition to the WALLENIUS SOL fleet was officially named in the Port of Turku, Finland. The ceremony gathered representatives from the company, the crew, politicians and industry stakeholders.

WALLENIUS SOL acquired British Mann Lines earlier this year, and in June the fleet was further strengthened with the newly constructed SOUTH ENABLER. In Turku, the vessel was formally given her name in a traditional ceremony, where a bottle was broken against the hull to bring good fortune at sea. Beatrice Erikson, Senior Manager Transhipment Operations at Wallenius Wilhelmsen, acted as godmother.

The vessel was built by Visentini Shipyard and designed by NAOS Ship and Boat Design. At 203.4 metres in length, she is ice-classed and prepared for methanol propulsion. Power comes from two 7,200 kW Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines, giving a top speed of 22 knots. She can carry a wide range of cargoes, including LoLo, RoRo and high and heavy cargo.

Since June, SOUTH ENABLER has been operating on the Tilbury–Cuxhaven–Turku–Paldiski–Bremerhaven–Tilbury service. Holding the naming in Turku was a natural choice for both the company and the port.

“The shipping line between Turku and the UK has been going strong since the early seventies. We’re pleased to begin our collaboration with WALLENIUS SOL, and are happy to see the increased capacity brought by SOUTH ENABLER,” said Erik Söderholm, Managing Director at Port of Turku.

Photo Christoffer Björklund

Sep 12
3

Brittany Ferries Calls for Fair Emissions Rules

By | 2025 Newsletter week 37 | No Comments

Brittany Ferries says EU climate rules must reflect real-world data after a new study showed methane slip from its LNG-powered ships is far lower than regulatory assumptions. Independent research led by Benoit Sagot of ESTACA, published in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, recorded annual methane slip of 1.57% on SALAMANCA – less than half the 3.5% figure used in EU benchmarks.

CEO Christophe Mathieu said the company supports the polluter-pays principle but warned it must not be penalised for “phantom emissions that exist only on a spreadsheet.” He urged regulators to revise reference data in ETS and FuelEU rules to ensure innovation is recognised and rewarded. Brittany Ferries, which has invested in four LNG-powered ships, contributed to the year-long study with ADEME and is open to follow-up research.

Photo: Brittany Ferries – Brian Barcher

Sep 12
3

Stena Line awarded contract to continue operation of the Gdynia – Karlskrona route

By | 2025 Newsletter week 37 | No Comments

The Port of Gdynia Authority has awarded Stena Line the contract to continue operating at the Public Ferry Terminal, following a tender launched in June. The Swedish carrier competed with Unity Line Limited for Package I and secured the agreement, ensuring its continued presence on the Gdynia–Karlskrona route. Package II was cancelled despite one bidder submitting.

The consortium of Polish ferry operators (PŻM including Unity Line) has criticised the outcome and is considering legal action. The Port Authority rejects the allegations, stressing that the procedure was transparent and did not allow for appeals.