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sandra

Feb 02
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Stena Line Completes Acquisition of Liepaja Terminal Operator Terrabalt

By 2026 Newsketter week 05

Stena Line has completed the acquisition of terminal operator Terrabalt in Liepaja, Latvia, and has officially taken over RoRo, bulk and general cargo operations. All regulatory approvals have been granted, and Stena Line is now registered as the owner.

Key points:

  • The terminal has been renamed Stena Line Ports Liepajas SEZ.
  • Liepaja is Latvia’s third-largest port and a key logistics hub in the Baltic Sea region.
  • Stena Line currently operates the Liepaja–Travemünde route with two vessels.

Stena Line plans to gradually modernise the terminal infrastructure.

Trade Director Liene Lemane said the deal reflects strong confidence in the Baltic region’s long-term trade potential.

Stena Line will follow a similar development path as in Ventspils, acquired nearly three years ago.

In parallel, the Liepaja Special Economic Zone Authority will rebuild berth 46.

The berth reconstruction project is scheduled for completion by 31 December 2027.

The acquisition strengthens Stena Line’s Baltic Sea network, which includes:

  • Port operations in Ventspils and Karlskrona
  • Ferry routes linking Latvia, Sweden, Germany and Poland
Feb 02
Love3

Port of Klaipėda: Strong RoRo and Ferry Growth in 2025

By 2026 Newsketter week 05

The Port of Klaipėda reported another record year in 2025, handling 39 million tonnes of cargo despite ongoing geopolitical pressures.

RoRo and Ferry Highlights

  • RoRo cargo: 6.5 million tonnes (+6%)
  • Ferry vehicles handled: 353,759, a new all-time record
  • Growth supported by:
    • TT-Line’s direct weekend Travemünde–Klaipėda services
    • Increased DFDS frequency on Klaipėda–Karlshamn
    • New links to Trelleborg and Travemünde

Passenger and Ferry Traffic

  • International ferry passengers: 415,000 (+9%)
  • Curonian Spit (*) ferries carried:
    • 9 million passengers
    • 358,400 vehicles (one-way)

Wider Port Context (Brief)

  • Container traffic reached 1.31 million TEU (+22%)
  • LNG volumes rose to 2.4 million tonnes (+19%)
  • Vessel calls fell by 3%, showing increasing efficiency with larger ships

Klaipėda further strengthened its position as the leading Baltic port, with rising market share and continued growth in ferry-driven RoRo activity.

(*) Curonian Spit is a 98km long, thin, curved sand-dune spit that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea.

Photo: 2025 was truly a successful year for the Port of Klaipėda – 39 million tonnes of cargo were handled.

Source: Port of Klaipeda

Feb 02
Love3

Strong Cruise Performance and Stable Ferry Traffic at the Port of Tallinn in 2025

By 2026 Newsketter week 05
  • 3 million passengers passed through Port of Tallinn in 2025, up 1% year on year.
  • Growth was driven mainly by cruise calls and cruise passenger numbers, while ferry traffic remained stable.

Key Ferry Routes

  • Tallinn–Helsinki remained dominant with 7.3 million passengers (+1.3%).
    • Operated by Tallink, Viking Line and Eckerö Line (7 vessels).
    • FINLANDIA was the most popular ship, chosen by 26% of passengers.
  • Long-haul passenger growth was strong, especially from China (+56% to 90,000+), Japan, the US and the UK.
  • Muuga–Vuosaari handled 195,000 passengers, with very high vehicle occupancy and capacity expansion under review.
  • Paldiski–Kapellskär traffic rose 46% to 42,500 passengers, supported by SUPERFAST IX.
  • Tallinn–Stockholm carried 495,000 passengers (-12%), reflecting reduced capacity (one vessel instead of two).

Cruise Highlights

  • Tallinn welcomed 118 cruise calls (+18), bringing nearly 190,000 cruise passengers.
    • Main markets: Germany (44%), US (27%), UK (14%).
    • US cruise passenger numbers doubled year on year.
  • 50 different cruise ships visited, including 11 first-time calls.
  • Winter cruising expanded, with 15,588 passengers arriving in November–December.

Outlook

Port of Tallinn expects continued growth in both ferry and cruise segments in 2026, supported by positive global tourism trends.

Feb 02
Love3

Menorca: Baleària, GNV and Trasmed Meet Island Council on Sustainable Connectivity

By 2026 Newsketter week 05

The top executives of Baleària, GNV and Trasmed met with the President of the Menorca Island Council to reinforce institutional cooperation and support coordinated public policies on sustainable island connectivity.

The three operators reiterated their willingness to contribute constructively to discussions on transport and tourism models, balancing connectivity needs with the protection of the island and the daily life of residents.

They also offered to provide operational data and sector expertise to help shape effective mobility solutions.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to maintain ongoing dialogue, underlining that all affected stakeholders must be involved in structural debates on the future of sustainable connectivity for Menorca.

Source: Baleària

Feb 02
Love3

New CGT Strike Will Cover All Vessels of Corsica Linea and La Méridionale

By 2026 Newsketter week 05

The French “CGT Marins” union issued notice of a renewable strike from 2 February, signalling continued tension over market structure and employment guarantees. The strikes will affect the services from Corsica Linea and La Méridionale.

Most CGT actions over the last five years have centred on territorial continuity, labour protection, and opposition to competition from Italian-flag operators in the Corsica market.

CGT protests (again) to authorisations granted to Italian-flag competitors, notably GNV on France–Maghreb routes and Corsica Ferries on Corsica services outside the public-service framework.

There was industrial action earlier this month linked to the planned sale of the RoPax KALLISTE to Turkish breakers.

Feb 02
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Further Growth on the Middle Rhine: FRS Acquires Niederheimbach–Lorch Ferry Service

By 2026 Newsketter week 05

FRS Rhine Ferries continues its expansion on the Middle Rhine. The company has acquired the long-established ferry operator Schnaas GmbH, which has connected Lorch and Niederheimbach since 1892.

This marks FRS’s third acquisition in the region in just over a year, following the takeovers of the Ingelheim–Oestrich-Winkel route (December 2024) and the St. Goar–St. Goarshausen connection (January 2025).

Source: FRS Rheinfähren

Jan 23
Love3

Björn Boström Joins the Ferry Shipping Summit Team

By 2026 Newsletter week 04

It was already announced during the Ferry Shipping Summit in Malmö. Now the good news becomes reality: Björn Boström joins the Ferry Shipping Summit team as Business Development Manager.

After 17 years as CEO of the Port of Ystad, Björn decided it was time to step down and to use his expertise in new roles, as a consultant, interim manager, or board member.

Björn has more than 40 years of experience in ferry shipping, with companies such as Saga Line, DFDS, Lion Ferry and others.

His broad experience in ferry and port operations, as well as intergovernmental organisations, will strengthen our team of professionals.

Bo-Lennart Thorbjörnsson, CEO of Ferry Shipping Summit, welcomes Björn:

“We are looking forward to working together and are grateful for his knowledge and network, which will benefit the Summit and our weekly Ferry Shipping News.”

Jan 23
Love3

Positive Trend For Travel To And From Gotland In 2025

By 2026 Newsletter week 04

Travel volumes to and from Gotland increased in 2025, confirming a broadly positive development across passenger, visitor, and freight segments.

Key figures (2025 vs 2024):

  • Total passengers with Destination Gotland: 1,758,481 (+1.6%).
  • Visitors to and from the island: 1,335,045 (+0.8%).
  • Growth driven mainly by the Nynäshamn route.
  • Oskarshamn route remained broadly stable.
  • International travellers: +4.6%, representing 6.3% of all passengers (record level).
  • Gotland residents’ travel: 423,436 (+4.4%), back to pre-pandemic levels.

Destination Gotland highlights that increased off-peak travel indicates success in extending the season. This benefits both residents and the local visitor economy.

Operational performance:

  • Punctuality reached 97.1%, based on 2,786 completed sailings.
  • Freight volumes also increased year-on-year, reflecting resilient demand despite the economic climate.

Tourism indicators:

  • Registered guest nights (Jan–Nov): 988,708, up from 934,177.
  • Total guest nights, including unregistered stays: 1,367,645, showing a clear increase.

Improved accessibility continues to support year-round demand. Regular air services to Stockholm Bromma and Arlanda, combined with reliable ferry operations, keep Gotland well connected outside the summer peak.

Photo Destination Gotland

Jan 23
Love3

Norwest Ship Management Acquires MN PELICAN from Compagnie Maritime Nantaise – MN

By 2026 Newsletter week 04

Norwest Ship Management AS has signed the purchase agreement for the RoRo vessel MN PELICAN, acquired from Compagnie Maritime Nantaise – MN.

Key facts:

  • Vessel: MN PELICAN (to be renamed LINK NEPTUNE)
  • Builder / Year: Fosen shipyard, Norway / 1999
  • Previous name: TRANS BOTNIA
  • Ownership history: CMN – MN since 2007

Operational background

  • 2007–2016: Chartered for the French Ministry of Defence, supporting missions worldwide.
  • 2016–2025: Operated for Brittany Ferries)on Poole–Bilbao.

Norwest Ship Management AS is a Norwegian ship owning and management company who owns 10 vessels and have management on further two, based in Avaldsnes. Carrying project cargo, aluminium, frozen cargoes, fish feed and building materials. Trading areas are in Northern Europe.