FERRY PORTS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 06 | No Comments

Europe’s Transport Sector Calls for Stronger EU Budget

Forty-five European transport organisations have united to urge EU Member States and the European Commission to maintain a strong, dedicated transport funding instrument in the next EU budget. As discussions on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) approach, they stress that coordinated European infrastructure investment is vital for competitiveness, resilience, and military preparedness.

The sector warns against the Commission’s plans to shift transport funding to National Single Plans, arguing that a stable, long-term European strategy is essential. Ahead of the General Affairs Council in Warsaw, they call on national governments to prioritise transport investment with high European value.

Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), emphasised that transport infrastructure is the backbone of the EU’s internal market and crucial for economic and geopolitical resilience. She urged EU leaders to reinforce the transport budget to secure Europe’s future.

The open letter to the EU Member States, with the full list of signatories, can be found here.

New Managing Director for Adria Port in Trieste Joins from DFDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 06 | No Comments

Starting in May, the Managing Director of Samer Seaports & Terminals (DFDS) in Trieste will transition to become the next CEO of Adria Port Inc., a company fully owned by the Hungarian state.

Adria Port’s mission is to implement Hungary’s port development project in Trieste, supporting the country’s foreign trade, expanding its logistics network for economic benefit, and contributing to sustainable economic growth. The company operates under the supervision of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Designed as a multipurpose terminal, Adria Port will provide container handling, RoRo operations, and general cargo services. The company emphasises efficiency and flexibility, aiming to ensure the seamless handling of diverse cargo types.

The terminal is expected to commence operations in 2026.

Klaipeda Port 2024: RoRo and Ferry Growth Highlights

By | 2025 Newsletter week 06 | No Comments
  • RoRo Cargo Growth:
    • 16% increase from 2023, reaching 852,000 tonnes.
    • Second-best result in port history, only behind 2021.
  • Ferry Transport Expansion:
    • 1 million tonnes of vehicles transported by ferry.
    • Accounts for 17% of total port cargo.
    • Passenger numbers up 7%, surpassing 381,000
  • Overall Market Position:
    • 39% market share among Baltic ports, up from 36% in 2023.
    • Stronger performance than Tallinn (13.1M tonnes) and all three Latvian ports combined (33.3M tonnes).
  • Port Activity Growth:
    • 5,478 ships handled, a 2% increase from 2023.
    • Ship repairs: 98 projects, including 10 modernisations.

Klaipeda Port solidifies its position as a key Baltic hub, with RoRo and ferry traffic playing a crucial role in its record-breaking year.

Source: Klaipeda Port

High-Speed Ferry Services between Poole and The Channel Islands now Available for 2025 Bookings

By | 2025 Newsletter week 06 | No Comments

Poole Harbour Commissioners are delighted with the 2025 continuation of high-speed ferry services between the Port of Poole and the Channel Islands, ensuring vital connections between the UK, Guernsey, Jersey, and onward to St Malo.

Following 2024’s tender process run by the Jersey and Guernsey governments, high-speed roll-on, roll-off ferry services between Poole & Guernsey will be operated by Brittany Ferries, with the service between Poole & Jersey being operated by DFDS, with both services linking to St Malo.

Source: PHC

New Train Service to Transport 10,000 Cars from Slovakia to Port Esbjerg and onwards

By | 2025 Newsletter week 06 | No Comments

A new direct train service between Slovakia and Port Esbjerg is expected to transport 10,000 new cars to Esbjerg on an annual basis. These cars will be reloaded at the port and shipped to the UK. The first delivery went “almost perfectly”, says Scandinavian Auto Logistics, which handles the cars at the port. “This is merely stage one,” says the CEO of Port Esbjerg.

Read more: Port Esbjerg

Viking Line, Ports of Turku and Stockholm Celebrate One Year of Cooperation to Establish a Green Shipping Corridor

By | 2025 Newsletter week 06 | No Comments

Viking Line, Port of Turku and Ports of Stockholm have been working together for a year on a project which aims to establish a green, fossil-free shipping corridor between Stockholm and Turku. The parties have now laid a solid foundation for the project and developed a clear plan for a common way forward.

Read more on Vikingline.com

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 06 | No Comments

On 30 January 2025, Ventouris Ferries’ RIGEL V left the Perama repair zone for Durrës, Albania. She was purchased in December 2023 and arrived in Greece on 4 February 2024. Following an extensive refit and upgrade, she was transformed into a luxurious RoPax ferry. The ship entered service on the Bari–Durrës route on 4 February 2025.

Built in Japan in 1992, RIGEL V has a carrying capacity of 1,030 passengers (450 beds) and 500 cars and can operate at a speed of 22 knots.

Photo: Ventouris Ferries

It is reported that on 13 February 2025, the RoRo THALASSITIS (ex-JAN ŚNIADECKI) of Ainaftis Shipping will enter service on the Piraeus–North and Eastern Aegean route, replacing RoRo PELAGITIS for the transportation of dangerous cargoes and goods.

The ship was purchased in February 2024 from Unity Line and converted into a RoRo vessel. She has a carrying capacity of 1,116 lane metres (102 trucks) and operates at a service speed of 17 knots.

Photo: Dimitris Mendakis

5 February – SILJA SERENADE is back on the Helsinki–Stockholm route, fresher and better than ever! After major maintenance at Remontowa shipyard, the ship boasts upgraded automation, propulsion, and safety systems, plus a fresh coat of paint. Onboard, refreshed interiors, new flooring, and spa renovations enhance the passenger experience.

Photo: Marko Stampehl

Attica Group Charters TT-Line’s AKKA for Adriatic Service

By | 2025 Newsletter week 5 | No Comments

It has been reported that Attica Group has chartered TT-Line’s RoPax AKKA for nearly a year to operate on its Adriatic service. The large German-built vessel departed from Travemünde for the Mediterranean on 27 January and is expected to enter service on the Patras-Igoumenitsa-Ancona-Venice route on 10 February.

AKKA will gradually replace LEFKA ORI and ARIADNE, which are undergoing their annual maintenance, as well as SUPERFAST III, which is scheduled for both annual maintenance and a scrubber conversion. Meanwhile, HELLENIC SPIRIT is already out of service until June at the Elefsis shipyards, where she is undergoing an extensive renovation and refit that will transform her into SUPERFAST IV.

Built in Germany in 2001, AKKA has a carrying capacity of 800 passengers and 2,600 lane metres. She can operate at a speed of 21.5 knots.

Damen Shipyards Delivers Germany’s First All-Electric Ferry

By | 2025 Newsletter week 5 | No Comments

On the 15th of January, Damen Shipyards handed over Germany’s first, all-electric catamaran (E-Kat) ferry to its operator, AG Reederei Norden-Frisia. Capable of taking up to 150 passengers, the vessel will operate between Norddeich and Norderney on the East Frisian Wadden Sea.

  • The 32-metre E-Kat has been designed to operate on a 30-minute route with 28 minutes allowed at each end to disembark and embark passengers.
  • Built at Damen shipyards in Poland and the Netherlands.
  • Driven by two propellers, each powered by a 600kW electric motor.
  • Given the shallow waterways in which it will operate, it has been designed with twin hulls giving it a draught of just 1.2 metres.
  • These aluminium hulls together with a superstructure, also made of aluminium, ensure that weight has been kept to a minimum, enabling it to operate at speeds of up to 12 knots.
  • Other features include over-sized windows to allow passengers to enjoy the views of the Wadden Sea, the world’s largest tidal flats system and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Norwegian Fast Ferries: A Big Step Towards Zero Emissions

By | 2025 Newsletter week 5 | No Comments

A Breakthrough for High-Speed Ferries

  • Hurtigbåtforbundet, representing 120 vessels, has secured a fuel agreement with Bunker Oil to supply HVO100, an advanced biodiesel.
  • This switch can cut CO₂ emissions by 90% this year—far ahead of Norway’s 2030 target of 55%.
  • No vessel modifications needed—HVO100 works in existing engines, ensuring an easy transition.

Why Electrification Isn’t Enough

  • Fully electric and hybrid ferries work for short, structured routes, but high-speed, long-range, and emergency vessels need alternatives.
  • Heavy battery weight and limited range make full electrification impractical for many operations.

The Case for HVO100

  • CO₂ reduction: 85-97% compared to marine gas oil (MGO).
  • NOx reduction: Up to 90% with catalytic converters.
  • No infrastructure changes required—it blends seamlessly with existing fuels.
  • Made from waste materials without affecting food production.

A Cost-Effective Green Shift

  • Potential CO₂ savings for the fleet: 63,569 tonnes per year.
  • The extra cost of HVO100 for the industry is only 24% of the fishing sector’s CO₂ tax compensation—yet delivers unmatched environmental benefits.
  • From 2026, biogas may also be accepted in Norway’s World Heritage fjords, offering another alternative to zero emissions.

With this agreement, Hurtigbåtforbundet is leading a realistic, impactful transition to sustainable maritime transport.

Photo Bjarne Rygg, Jan Kleven and Rune Midtkandal, Hurtigbåtforbundet HRF