- Tallink Grupp transported 364,894 passengers in February 2026, +5%
- Cargo units +9.2% to 19,777.
- Passenger vehicles -3.6% to 42,832.
Click on table to access the source
Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö delivered its best operating result ever in 2025, supported by record cargo volumes and steady passenger growth.
Interim-Accounts-31.12.2025 – Key points:
- Cargo volumes reached a record 210,598 units, +11%, driven mainly by strong Finland–Estonia demand.
- Passengers +2% (3,191,322), also the highest annual figure recorded by the company.
- Revenue +5% EUR 234.8 million, reflecting higher volumes and more departures during the year.
- Operating result improved to EUR 25.6 million, the strongest in company history.
- Net result reached EUR 18.8 million, the second-best annual result for the group.
- Cargo market share on the Finland–Estonia route 46%, up from 40% in 2024.
- Passenger market share on the same route remained stable at 28%.
- The company maintained a strong balance sheet, ending the year with net debt of -EUR 19.0 million, meaning cash exceeded interest-bearing liabilities.
Strategic Developments
- The group acquired SAILOR from Tallink Grupp and renamed it FJÄRDVÄGEN. The vessel entered service on 2 January 2026 on the Långnäs–Naantali route under subsidiary Eckerö Link Ab.
- The previous FJÄRDVÄGEN has been withdrawn and is held for sale.
- The company also sold its last RoRo vessel TRANSPORTER in November 2025.
Outlook
For 2026, the company expects a stable financial result, although geopolitical uncertainty and the ongoing audit of pandemic traffic support could affect future performance.
Source: Interim-Accounts-31.12.2025
Brittany Ferries signed a one-year charter agreement on 5 March to deploy the freight ferry NORBAY on the Cherbourg–Rosslare route. The contract includes an option for a second year.
The route became available after Stena Line exited the market at the end of September. Earlier, in early August, Brittany Ferries secured access to linkspans at both ports following a competitive process involving DFDS and another Irish operator.
The deployment of NORBAY provides Brittany Ferries with additional freight capacity on a route that has gained importance since post-Brexit direct links between Ireland and continental Europe expanded.
RoPax KALLISTE of La Méridionale, which the CMA CGM Group had initially planned to scrap, will instead be acquired by Corsica linea. Remember that the unions went on strike to protest against the scrapping plans.
After half a year of lay up, KALLISTE will go to drydock in Marseille to be repainted (from blue to red) and to be ready for the season as from mid-April.
FSN also understands (unconfirmed) that Corsica linea is also expected to charter MASSALIA (former NORMANDIE), and that the CMA CGM Group, —owner of La Méridionale—, is looking to sell one of the ferries under construction.
Photo JP Fabre
- Tersan Havyard has signed a contract with Fjord1 to convert three ferries to hybrid-electric operation.
- The project covers LOSNA, HORNELEN and NORDFJORD.
- The vessels will be upgraded to meet new requirements for upcoming ferry contracts.
- The conversion aims to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.
The Scottish Government has announced plans to directly award contracts for four new vessels to the publicly owned Ferguson Marine shipyard on the Clyde, aiming to secure the yard’s future and strengthen domestic shipbuilding.
The proposed programme includes:
- Two small ferries under Phase 2 of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme
- A replacement for the marine research vessel SCOTIA
- A replacement for the fisheries protection vessel MINNA
The vessels would be built at the Port Glasgow yard, subject to a due diligence process assessing the viability of the plan.
According to the government, the contracts match the yard’s current capabilities and would occupy most of its capacity for the next five years, while still allowing Ferguson Marine to pursue additional commercial work.
Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop also confirmed that the replacement of the CalMac ferry LORD OF THE ISLES will not be directly awarded. Instead, it will go through a competitive tendering process.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes described the announcement as a significant step for the future of the yard, stating that the programme could secure a pipeline of work while allowing Ferguson Marine to proceed with modernisation plans and compete for further orders.
The proposals remain subject to detailed due diligence by the Scottish Government and may be referred to the Competition and Markets Authority under the UK Subsidy Control Act.
If approved, the programme would also unlock the remaining GBP 14.2 million previously committed by the Scottish Government for yard upgrades aimed at improving productivity and streamlining production.
Sources:
https://www.gov.scot/news/investing-in-ferguson-marine/
https://www.fergusonmarine.com/news/ferguson-marine-secured-four-vessel-direct-award/
- Baleària has acquired a 102-metre high-speed trimaran to strengthen its fast ferry fleet.
- The vessel, to be renamed PEPA CASTELLVÍ, was built by Austal and can carry 870 passengers and 250 vehicles, with 190 lane metres for freight and a top speed of 35 knots.
- Previously operated by Condor Ferries, the former CONDOR LIBERATION will undergo technical works and a refit in Algeciras.
- Entry into service is expected in summer 2026, increasing Baleària’s high-speed capacity.
FSN normally does not cover PCTC (Pure Car and Truck Carrier) orders. However, this one is interesting because it focuses on smaller, flexible vessels designed for the European short-sea market.
Key points
- 3,000 CEU capacity, significantly smaller than typical deep-sea PCTCs, making them suitable for regional trades.
- Multi-fuel LNG engines with battery-hybrid systems, capable of running on liquefied biomethane (LBM).
- Ballast-free design and aerodynamic hull aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
- Enhanced safety architecture, with improved fire detection, monitoring and containment systems.
- Nine-deck configuration with stronger and higher decks, allowing transport of larger high & heavy cargo and project cargo.
- Shore power capability and real-time emissions monitoring.
- Advanced digital systems to improve operational performance and lifecycle management.
The vessels will be built at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) and are scheduled for delivery in early 2028. UECC already has two larger 4,500 CEU vessels on order at the same yard.
- Wagenborg has named its new (small) ferry HIDDEBORG, which will operate the fast connection between Ameland and the mainland.
- The vessel was christened at Next Generation Shipyards in Lauwersoog by journalist Afke Boven.
- Designed for the shallow Wadden Sea, the ferry features about 80 cm draught, waterjet propulsion and energy-efficient engines.
- HIDDEBORG is expected to enter service in 2026, strengthening reliability on the Ameland route.
Source: Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten (in Dutch)
Three new Motorways of the Seas have been declared eligible for government funding under Italy’s Sea Modal Shift programme (formerly Marebonus).
Sea Modal Shift 3 new routes
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport approved requests submitted by shipping companies for the following routes:
- Savona – Palma de Mallorca (covered by GRIMALDI GROUP via Valencia)
- Cagliari – Marina di Carrara (operated by GRENDI TRASPORTI MARITTIMI)
- Gioia Tauro – Livorno, a brand-new link to be launched between the two Italian ports
The Sea Modal Shift incentive scheme, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, supports combined road–sea transport.
Key elements include:
- Eligible beneficiaries: road haulage companies, including temporary or permanent groupings, shipping vehicles and/or swap bodies (with or without drivers) on RoRo and RoPax vessels.
- Eligible routes: those listed in Regulation No. 166/2023, plus additional routes proposed by applicants.
- Subsidy: up to €0.30/km for each loaded vehicle unit, multiplied by the number of road kilometres avoided.
