All Posts By

sandra

Sep 15
2

Grimaldi Holding’s fleet transferred to three new separate companies

By | 2024 Newsletter week 37 | No Comments

Almost six years after the death of their father, the unforgettable shipowner Aldo Grimaldi, his son Giovanni and the two daughters Isabella and Alessandra have decided to reorganize the company Grimaldi Holding which still owned the three RoPax ships FORZA, TENACIA and REGINA SEAWAYS. 

The former two are currently bareboat chartered out to GNV (until 2028) while for the latter has just been prolonged the charter contract with DFDS. 

All these three vessels were built in Italy at Nuovi Cantieri Apuania from 2008 to 2010.  

Grimaldi Holding has been split up into three separate companies:  

  • TENACIA: Grimaldi Investments Srl, 100% owned by Isabella Amelia Grimaldi  
  • FORZA: Grimaldi Capital Srl, controlled by Alessandra Grimaldi  
  • REGINA SEAWAYS: Grifin, Giovanni Grimaldi 
Sep 15
2

UK expands Electronic Travel Authorisation (visa)

By | 2024 Newsletter week 37 | No Comments

EU tourists will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK from April 2, 2025. Citizens from many other countries need it as from January 8, 2025. 

EU citizens also need a passport to enter the UK since October 1, 2021. Before this date, EU citizens could enter the UK with a national identity card. However, after Brexit, the UK changed its entry requirements, and an ID card is no longer sufficient for most EU citizens.  

Now an ETA will become an extra requirement. It will cost £10 (€12) and will be valid for two years, or until the expiration date of the passport. 

More about the ETA:

Sep 15
2

Tallink Duty Free ranked among the TOP20 largest travel retailers in the world

By | 2024 Newsletter week 37 | No Comments

The recently published Moodie Davitt Report 2023 ranks Tallink Duty Free in the world’s top 20 travel retail operators. Based on estimated 2023 travel retail sales turnover, the ranking lends the company an impressive 20th position in the world. Notably, Tallink Duty Free is the only shipping company who has made it to the TOP20 ranking, as well as the only retailer operating within Europe. 

Click to see full report 

Sep 15
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2024 Newsletter week 37 | No Comments

On September 12, 2024, Anek Lines’ RoPax ASTERION II was reassigned to the Piraeus – Heraklion route after successfully serving on the Piraeus – Samos – Dodecanese and Piraeus – Chios – Mytilene routes since June 3, 2024. ASTERION II will replace RoPax ARIADNE, which will return to her previous service in the Adriatic. 

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos 

On September 10, 2024, the HSC HELLENIC HIGHSPEED returned to the Port of Piraeus after completing its summer charter in the Western Mediterranean. The vessel was chartered to Africa Morocco Link (AML) from June 29, 2024, to bolster the Moroccan company’s service on the Algeciras – Tanger Med route. 

 Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos 

Construction of CLdN’s first new G9e vessel is making great progress. The bridge and funnels are now in place so she really starts to look like a CLdN vessel. 

Source: CLdN on Linkedin  

Holmen has declared their option and extended the contract with BALTIC BRIGHT until end 2025. 

Source: Godby Shipping on Linkedin 

Thursday 12 September, the Rauma shipyard celebrated the delivery of the SPIRIT OF TASMANIA IV to the Owner, TT-Line Company. 

‘I want to thank our client for their excellent co-operation, which has enabled us to bring this project to its successful completion. I would also like to thank our partners and the classification society. This vessel is a fine example of the strong shipbuilding expertise in Rauma. We have now built the world’s southernmost LNG ferry as well as the world’s northernmost LNG ferry, namely AURORA BOTNIa. We wish SPIRIT OF TASMANIA IV all the best on its journeys’, says Mika Nieminen, CEO and President of Rauma Marine Constructions. 

Stena Line has announced that it will withdraw the STENA VISION from its Rosslare-Cherbourg route at the end of October 2024.  

Stena Line has confirmed that they will continue to operate a three-day week service for freight and passenger travel on board the STENA HORIZON and that they will “deploy additional support vessels to the route during periods of peak demand from freight and travel customers”. 

Destination Gotland experienced a slight increase in travel during the summer of 2024, with nearly 940,000 passengers between June and August, up by 2,000 from the previous year. June saw a 10% rise in travellers, while July, despite a 4% decline, remained the busiest month. The campaign “Sommarlov på Gotland” contributed to a surge in family visits. Gotland continues to perform well compared to other Swedish destinations, showing resilience in the travel market. 

Source: Destination Gotland Photo: Olof Segerberg 

As an important step in the green transition, Molslinjen is now investing in a new 132,000 MWh solar park on Djursland, Denmark. The renewable energy from the park will power NERTHUS, the innovative electric ferry on the Alslinjen between Bøjden and Fynshav. The vessel is under construction at Cemre Shipyard. 

Source: Via Ritzau 

Finnlines is set to celebrate the first anniversary of its FINNSIRIUS, operating on the Finland–Åland–Sweden route. The ship, along with its sister vessel, FINNCANOPUS, has significantly boosted passenger numbers and attracted new customer segments, including families and conference groups. Both ships feature cutting-edge technology aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. Special onboard events and promotions will mark the occasion. 

For more details, visit Finnlines. 

 

Sep 06
2

Grimaldi Group to open a new RoRo line between Italy and Turkey

By | 2024 Newsletter week 36 | No Comments

Starting from 14 September, Grimaldi Euromed will deploy two RoRo vessels on the new regular service between Trieste and Ambarli (just a few kilometres from Istanbul), with two weekly departures from each port. 

The new link will be operated by ECO MEDITERRANEA and ECO MALTA, both RoRo vessels of the innovative “GG5G” class. 

With the new direct Trieste-Ambarli connection, the Grimaldi Group “is responding to the growing demand for high-quality maritime transport services between Italy and Turkey from its clients, notably some of the world’s leading manufacturers of automobiles and industrial vehicles, such as BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, DAF, Scania, Stellantis, Kia, and Hyundai.” 

 Source: Grimaldi Group  

Sep 06
2

Record-breaking summer for Scandlines

By | 2024 Newsletter week 36 | No Comments
  • Scandlines experienced a record-breaking summer in 2024, transporting 2.7 million passengers and 728,000 cars between Germany and Denmark. 
  • Passenger numbers increased from 2.6 million in 2023 to 2.7 million in 2024. 
  • The number of cars transported also rose, from 716,509 in 2023 to 727,978 in 2024. 
  • The busiest weekend for passengers was 19-21 July, with 146,209 passengers, while the busiest weekend for cars was 26-28 July, with 40,235 cars. 
  • Scandlines introduced a dynamic ticketing system offering lower prices for early bookings or less busy times, enhancing ferry capacity utilisation and competitiveness. 
  • A new app and licence plate scanners were launched to improve ticket booking and check-in processes. 
  • Frequent departures were offered, with crossings every half hour on the Puttgarden-Rødby route and every two hours on the Rostock-Gedser route. 
  • Passengers were more flexible in their return journeys, often travelling at various times throughout the day and night. 
  • In July 2024, Scandlines also transported 3,003 buses. 

Photo: Horst-Dieter Foerster/Scandlines 

Sep 06
2

Climate Compensation Gains Popularity at Wasaline

By | 2024 Newsletter week 36 | No Comments

Wasaline introduced a carbon offset option in June 2024, which has seen significant uptake, particularly among Swedish travellers, with over 1,500 choosing to offset their travel emissions. The proceeds are used to power the ship with biogas, enhancing its sustainability. Wasaline aims to reduce its carbon footprint by at least 5% annually, working towards climate-neutral operations by 2030. 

Sep 06
2

Stena becomes sole owner of NTEX

By | 2024 Newsletter week 36 | No Comments

Stena, which previously owned 75% of the shares in the transport and logistics company NTEX, has purchased an additional 25% of the shares and thus has become the sole owner of the company.  

​​​​​​​​​​​​NTEX is one of Sweden’s most expansive transport companies with 20 offices in 12 countries in Europe, over 1,000 employees and around 4 billion SEK in turnover. The company owns and leases around 1,500 trucks and has 16 terminals and warehouses of its own.  

 Stena entered as a majority owner of NTEX in 2020, and is now sole owner of the company.   

“The main reason for this acquisition is that we wish to gain a greater understanding of how large transport companies operate in different markets. By owning and running companies, our understanding of our customers and where the market is going increases, which allows us to optimise Stena’s product portfolio,” says CEO Niclas Mårtensson.  

Sep 06
2

BC Ferries wraps historic summer and prepares for refit season

By | 2024 Newsletter week 36 | No Comments

BC Ferries has concluded a historic summer, marking the busiest season in its 64-year history, with over five million passengers and two million vehicles transported in June and July. As the summer ends, the company is now focusing on its annual refit season, beginning with repairs on the aging QUEEN OF NEW WESTMINSTER, among others. This refit season is part of BC Ferries’ commitment to safety and fleet modernization, with new major vessels planned to address growing demand and operational challenges. 

For more details, you can visit the full release here. 

Sep 06
2

Viking Line had a total of nearly 1.8 million passengers during the summer

By | 2024 Newsletter week 36 | No Comments

Nearly 1.8 million passengers travelled on Viking Line’s vessels during the period June–August 2024. The greatest increase in demand was on the Tallinn route, which also had more departures than in previous summer seasons. This summer, passengers were drawn by the variety of attractions in Estonia and the other Baltic countries, to Åland as depicted in the historical film Stormskärs Maja, and by a refurbished Viking Cinderella. 

 In short: 

  • Viking Line served nearly 1.8 million passengers during June–August 2024. 
  • The Tallinn route saw the greatest increase in demand, with over 732,000 passengers and a rise of more than 11%. 
  • The Helsinki–Stockholm route carried 274,000 passengers, with Viking Line’s market share rising to 44%. 
  • A cheap Swedish krona increased Stockholm’s appeal as a destination. 
  • Special cruises to Visby, Gotland were highly popular and sold out quickly. 
  • The Turku–Mariehamn–Stockholm route served 747,000 passengers, maintaining Viking Line’s market share at nearly 70%. 
  • International tourist numbers rose significantly, with notable increases in Chinese, German, Polish, South Korean, and American passengers. 
  • Climate tourism, driven by people seeking cooler destinations, is on the rise. 
  • The abrupt end of the summer season is a challenge for the tourism industry due to earlier school start dates in Finland. 

 Read the full story on Vikingline.com