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sandra

Oct 20
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Maritime Autonomous and Remotely Controlled Ships are in Service in the Baltic Sea

By 2023 Newsletter week 42

In September 2023, two ro-ro ships, MARSHAL ROKOSSOVSKY (2021) and GENERAL CHERNYAKHOVSKY (2022), were verified and certified as maritime autonomous and remotely controlled vessels by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.

Both ships had passed a thorough survey in accordance with the Regulations for Classification of Maritime Autonomous and Remotely Controlled Surface Ships (MASS) developed and issued by the RS in 2020, including:

  • Autonomous navigation system installed on the ship
  • Set of communication equipment and data exchange
  • Means of navigation and maneuvering
  • Ship power plant
  • Remote control station

Upon the verifications, both vessels received MASS Statement of Compliance and were classified as semi-autonomous ships.

Simultaneously, the first Remote Operation Center built in Saint-Petersburg also passed the prescribed survey and received the appropriate Statement of Compliance to control MARSHAL ROKOSSOVSKY and GENERAL CHERNYAKHOVSKY remotely.

Ships’ main dimensions: length overall – 200 m, beam – 27 m, deadweight – 11,900, draught – 6 м, main engine – 2х6,000.

Marinetraffic: MARSHAL ROKOSSOVSKY and GENERAL CHERNYAKHOVSKY.

Oct 20
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FRIJSENBORG renamed STENA FORWARDER WEDELLSBORG rumoured to be sold to a new joint venture

By 2023 Newsletter week 42

FRIJSENBORG has been renamed STENA FORWARDER, confirming earlier rumours. The vessel is about to leave Port of Ostend on October 21, after having been alongside since several weeks. Destination unknown so far.

Sistership WEDELLSBORG is rumoured to be sold for approximately EUR 35 million to a new joint venture between the two Italian shipping companies Grendi Trasporti Marittimi and Finaval.

The ship, constructed by Cantiere Navale Visentini and owned by Visemar Levante, is bareboat chartered to Weco Italy (formerly Nordana) until next March when it will be delivered to the next owner.

Shipping company Finaval has been actively involved for many years in the liquid bulk business.

Grendi Trasporti Marittimi, a company part of Gruppo Grendi, as of today covers a regular maritime link between Italy-mainland (Marina di Carrara) and the Sardinia Island (Cagliari and Olbia) with a pair of time-chartered vessels.

Oct 20
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New arrivals in Greece (2)

By 2023 Newsletter week 42

On October 18, 2023, HSC BORAQ (formerly known as HIGHSPEED 3) arrived in Greece, towed from the port of Algeciras. This vessel was acquired at an auction in Algeciras last June and is set to strengthen the AML’s fleet on the Algeciras – Tanger Med route.

HSC BORAQ previously served in Greece from 2000 to 2010 under the name HIGHSPEED 3 as part of Minoan Flying Dolphins. Before entering service, it will undergo a significant refurbishment.

This vessel was originally constructed in Australia by Austal in 2000 and has a passenger capacity of 647, along with room for 72 private cars. It is capable of reaching a cruising speed of 35 knots.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Oct 20
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Report presents the preliminary design of a 150-passenger all-electric fast ferry

By 2023 Newsletter week 42

The US Federal Transit Administration released Glosten’s initial design report for the 150-passenger all-electric Foil Ferry.

In this phase, naval architects Glosten and Bieker Boats enhanced the front of the fast ferry by incorporating a wave piercer, which aims to lessen the impact of swells in Puget Sound (Seattle), resulting in a smoother ride.

The report (https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/foil-ferry-preliminary-design-report-report-0257) confirms the ferry’s design concept and highlights its significant environmental advantages and cost savings in comparison to conventional diesel-powered fast ferries.

The Foil Ferry Team is currently seeking funding for building the hull.

Oct 20
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Port of Helsinki Q3: cargo volumes reasonable in challenging market situation, passenger traffic busy

By 2023 Newsletter week 42
  • Finnish economy in slight recession, impacting cargo volume at the Port of Helsinki.
  • Passenger traffic at the Port remains strong.
  • Ville Haapasaari, CEO of the Port of Helsinki, anticipates a better future for cargo transport.
  • Total cargo traffic from January to September: 10.4 million tonnes, down 9.1% YoY.
  • Imports: 4.7 million tonnes (-13.4%).
  • Exports: 5.4 million tonnes (-8.8%).
  • Unitized cargo traffic: 8.7 million tonnes, down 9.4% YoY.
  • Container traffic down by 12.3%.
  • Wheeled traffic down by 8.1%.
  • Liner passenger traffic at the Port of Helsinki: 6.9 million passengers from Jan to Sep, up 15.4% YoY.
  • 5 million passengers on the Helsinki-Tallinn route.
  • Busy traffic to and from Stockholm, especially in the summer, with 1.2 million passengers.
Oct 20
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Grupo Armas Trasmediterránea announced the appointment of Kent S. Hagbarth as the new CEO of the Group

By 2023 Newsletter week 42

Kent S. Hagbarth is an international executive with a distinguished track record of more than 35 years in the shipping transportation Industry. Kent brings solid experience in growth and transformation in multiple executive positions. His expertise will be instrumental in guiding Grupo Armas Trasmediterránea in its next phase of growth and development. Hagbarth has spent his entire professional career at Maersk, playing a key role in cultural change and transformation to focus on client experience.

Grupo Armas Trasmediterránea entered into an agreement in April 2023 with its main creditors, including a robust group of Noteholders, in order to facilitate the implementation of a comprehensive restructuring of the Group’s capital structure and deliver its balance sheet.

The Restructuring Plan was filed in Court on 27 September 2023 and the Group is currently waiting for the homologation to become effective.

Oct 13
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Stena Line discontinues route between Nynäshamn and Hanko

By 2023 Newsletter week 41
  • Stena Line announced the discontinuation of its route between Nynäshamn in Sweden and Hanko in Finland.
  • The route will operate until 20 October.
  • Both vessels (URD and STENA GOTHICA) will be redeployed in the charter market or within the Stena Line fleet.
  • The route started beginning 2022. See our news archive.

Main reasons:

  • Failing demand from freight customers due to the development of the current geopolitical situation.
  • Uneven competition: “The Finnish government’s decision to grant an exemption (*) from the European Union Emissions Trading System from 1 January 2024 for vessels trading via Åland will also create an uneven commercial landscape with a clear advantage for trade via Åland.”

More information about ETS:

(*) Special rules for ships that connect EU Member States’ small islands with the mainland

Until 31 December 2030, shipping companies must not surrender allowances for emissions released by passenger ships, other than cruise passenger ships, and by ferries (ro-pax ships), between a port of an island under the jurisdiction of an EU Member State, with no road or rail link with the mainland, and a port under the jurisdiction of that same EU Member State. This derogation can only apply, upon request of each EU Member State, to islands with a population of fewer than 200 000 permanent residents. The list of ports will be published by the end of 2023.

Source about: Specific rules and derogations

Source Maritime ETS: Extension of the EU Emissions Trading System to maritime transport

Oct 13
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Sicilian Region finally orders the long-awaited ferry

By 2023 Newsletter week 41

A new ferry, fully owned by the Sicilian Region and entirely “made in Sicily” will provide service to Lampedusa and Pantelleria.

  • The new vessel will be built entirely in the Fincantieri Palermo shipyard.
  • The delivery of the vessel is scheduled for 2026.
  • It will operate on routes between Sicily and the islands of Lampedusa and Pantelleria.
  • LOA
  • GT 14,500.
  • 19 knots.
  • 1,000 people – 200 cars.
  • Dual fuel engines, MDO –
  • A photovoltaic system, along with energy storage in a battery pack, will allow the vessel to remain in port with zero emissions for approximately four hours.
Oct 13
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DFDS September Volumes: Freight 2% Lower, Passengers 9% Higher

By 2023 Newsletter week 41

Ferry – freight:

  • Total volumes in September 2023 were 1.9% below 2022.
  • North Sea volumes were slightly below 2022 as firm automotive volumes were offset by mainly lower volumes between Sweden and the UK.
  • Mediterranean’s growth trend improved in September as volumes were back on level with 2022.
  • Channel volumes were also on level with 2022.
  • Baltic Sea volumes were below 2022 due to lower demand from both the continuing impact of the war in Ukraine and a decline in the transport of construction materials.
  • For the last twelve months 2023-22, the total transported freight lane metres decreased 10.5% to 38.6m from 43.1m in 2022-21. The decrease was 4.4% adjusted for Channel.

Ferry – passenger:

  • The number of passengers increased 9.4% driven by primarily more Channel passengers.
  • The number of cars increased 0.6%.
  • The total number of passengers increased 37% to 4.5m for the last twelve months, 2023-22, from 3.2m in 2022-21.
Oct 13
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Moby announced two new routes between mainland Italy and Corsica (and Sardinia)

By 2023 Newsletter week 41

1) Genoa – Ajaccio (Corsica) – Porto Torres (Northwestern point of Sardinia)

The extension of the line to Porto Torres will further increase interchange between Sardinia and Corsica, both from a tourist and a commercial point of view. This bridge between Corsica and Sardinia will be added to the connection that Moby already ensures all year round with the Bonifacio – Santa Teresa di Gallura.

2) Piombino – Bastia: fastest of all the mainland lines to Corsica.

New for this route will be the livery of the ships that will serve the island, with the Moor’s head symbol of the French island and other typical Corsican elements.