All Posts By

sandra

Jan 23
Love3

CLdN Launches Weekly Rotterdam–Porto LoLo Container Service

By 2026 Newsletter week 04

CLdN has announced the launch of a new weekly LoLo container service linking Rotterdam Distriport with Leixões (Porto), responding to growing customer demand on the route.

Key points

  • Weekly LoLo container service between Rotterdam Distriport and Port of Leixões
  • Complements two weekly return RoRo sailings between Rotterdam / Zeebrugge and Leixões
  • Part of CLdN’s 2024 strategy combining LoLo and RoRo on longer-distance routes
  • Aims to increase operational flexibility, sailing frequency, and reduce CO₂ emissions per unit
  • Service scheduled to commence on Sunday, 25 January

According to CLdN, deploying container vessels alongside RoRo tonnage enhances network resilience while supporting customers’ decarbonisation objectives through improved utilisation and lower emissions intensity.

Jan 23
Love3

Port of Kiel Sets New Freight Record in 2025

By 2026 Newsletter week 04

The Port of Kiel recorded a new all-time high in freight volumes in 2025, according to figures released on Thursday by Seehafen Kiel GmbH.

Total freight throughput reached almost 8 million tonnes for the first time, representing an increase of around 5% year-on-year. Nearly half of this volume was handled at the East Bank Port (Ostuferhafen). Growth was driven primarily by expanding trade with the Baltic states and continued strength in the Swedish paper trade.

Strong Growth on Key Routes

  • Traffic to Klaipėda (Lithuania) with DFDS reached 3 million tonnes, up 8% compared with 2024.
  • Stena Line transported 2.3% more freight between Kiel and Gothenburg.
  • SCA Logistics handled 5.2% more paper volumes from its Swedish mills at the East Bank Port.
  • Color Line recorded slightly lower freight volumes but saw growth in passenger numbers.
  • Passenger traffic rose slightly in 2025, with 2.7 million passengers handled in total. Of these, around 1.1 million were cruise passengers, underlining Kiel’s growing importance as a cruise hub.

Outlook

Managing Director Dirk Claus remains optimistic, citing strong early booking volumes for 2026 and positive market signals across both freight and passenger segments. The Port of Kiel expects continued growth, supported by infrastructure investment, sustainability initiatives, and robust demand in Baltic and Scandinavian trade lanes.

Jan 23
Love3

OSK Designs a High-Tech RoPax for Tunisian CTN

By 2026 Newsletter week 04

OSK Design has unveiled its next-generation RoPax concept, developed for CTN – Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation.

The new vessel is intended to join the Tunisia Ferries fleet, reinforcing maritime links between Tunis, Barcelona, Genoa and Marseille.

Key specifications:

  • Length overall: 210 m
  • Capacity: 3,000 passengers (cabins), 730 cars, 170 trucks
  • Service speed: 24 knots
  • Propulsion: Electric plant with dual-fuel diesel/methanol generators, azimuth thrusters, and batteries for peak-shaving, spinning reserve, and zero-emission port operations

Designed to set a new benchmark

  • Reliability – Redundant systems and advanced machinery for uninterrupted service
  • Performance – Excellent seakeeping and manoeuvrability
  • Flexibility – Adaptable layouts for future market and regulatory needs
  • Sustainability – Low-emission energy solutions, including methanol readiness

CTN is expected to launch a public tender for the construction of the vessel, opening an important opportunity for shipyards to contribute to the next generation of sustainable Mediterranean ferry operations.

Jan 23
Love3

Hybrid Fjord Ferry Order for Torghatten Midt

By 2026 Newsletter week 04

On 16 January, Stocznia Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A., part of Remontowa Holding S.A., signed a contract with Norwegian ferry operator Torghatten Midt AS for the construction of a hybrid-powered passenger and car ferry.

Key details:

  • Double-ended ferry designed for fjord operations between the Dønna and Herøy islands.
  • Capacity: 249 passengers, 85 cars, and up to six lorries.
  • Strong focus on reduced energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.

Propulsion and energy concept:

  • Hybrid system with two azimuth thrusters and permanent magnet electric motors.
  • Four generators running on 100% biodiesel.
  • Small battery pack for peak shaving, enabling optimal generator loading.
  • Designed for future upgrade to a battery system nearly 15 times larger, allowing fully electric operation.

The vessel (yard number B622) is being designed by The Norwegian Ship Design Company AS and is scheduled for delivery in Q2 2028.

 

Source: Remontowa

Jan 23
Love3

Steel Cutting For Fifth MSC–GNV RoPax Newbuilding At GSI

By 2026 Newsletter week 04

The steel cutting ceremony has taken place for the fifth LNG-fuelled RoPax newbuilding ordered by MSC for its ferry subsidiary GNV, at Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China.

The vessel, which has not yet been named, is the first unit of a second batch of four ships ordered in 2025 by the Aponte-controlled group. Delivery is scheduled for the first months of 2028.

The four dual-fuel LNG vessels will be sister ships to GNV VIRGO and GNV AURORA.

Main particulars:

  • Length: 218 metres
  • Beam: nearly 30 metres
  • Gross tonnage: 52,300
  • Maximum speed: 25 knots
  • More than 420 cabins
  • Capacity for up to 1,785 passengers
  • 2,780 lane metres of RoRo cargo

Each newbuilding is expected to cost more than €150m. The vessels will be financed by MSC and transferred to GNV under bareboat charter agreements.

GNV, led by Matteo Catani, has already taken delivery of three new ferries from GSI: GNV POLARIS, GNV ORION and GNV VIRGO, with GNV AURORA due to follow in the coming days.

Jan 23
Love3

ABB To Power Four Hybrid Ferries For BC Ferries

By 2026 Newsletter week 04

ABB will supply a complete package of power, propulsion and control systems for four new double-ended passenger and car ferries for BC Ferries.

The vessels will replace four end-of-life ships and form part of BC Ferries’ New Major Vessels programme, supporting capacity growth and lower-emission operations in the Strait of Georgia.

Key facts:

  • Four hybrid-electric double-ended ferries.
  • Order booked in Q4 2025.
  • Delivery from 2029.
  • Builder: China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyard.

Propulsion and power:

  • ABB Azipod® gearless, steerable electric propulsion.
  • Reduced maintenance due to fewer moving parts.
  • Special propeller design lowers underwater radiated noise, benefiting sensitive marine life such as the Southern Resident killer whale.
  • ABB Onboard DC Grid™ for efficient power distribution and lower conversion losses.

Energy storage and charging:

  • Up to 70 MWh of battery capacity per vessel.
  • Hybrid operation using biofuel or renewable diesel.
  • Designed for future full-electric, zero-emission operation.
  • Shore charging capability above 60 MW, enabling fast port turnarounds.

ABB will also provide digital solutions to support operational awareness, safety and efficiency, contributing to a quieter and more sustainable ferry service.

Source: ABB

Jan 23
Love3

HSC QUEEN NEFERTITI Sold to Greek Interests

By 2026 Newsletter week 04

According to reliable information, HSC QUEEN NEFERTITI, operated by Arab Bridge Maritime Company, has been sold to Greece and renamed FERTITI. Delivery is expected within the coming days.

The vessel previously operated on the Aqaba–Nuweiba route and joined the fleet in 2007. She was built in Italy in 1997 by Fincantieri for Ocean Bridge Investments S.A. under the name PEGASUS TWO.

In 2004, the ship was sold to Tallink Autoexpress AS and operated between Tallinn and Helsinki as TALLINK AUTOEXPRESS 3.

Main particulars:

  • Passenger capacity: 580
  • Car capacity: 173
  • Service speed: 25 knots

Photo: VesselFinder

Jan 23
Love3

Fewer Ship Calls To Swedish Ports In 2025

By 2026 Newsletter week 04

According to Sjöfartsverket, the number of ship calls to Swedish ports continued to decline in 2025, reflecting the ongoing economic slowdown.

Key figures:

  • Total ship calls fell by 2.9%, from 68,124 in 2024 to 66,178 in 2025.
  • This is the lowest level recorded since 2008.
  • Total cargo volumes decreased by around 2.4%.
  • Passenger numbers remained broadly stable at approximately 20,500,000.
  • Ferry calls declined by 1.9%.
  • Cruise ship calls increased by 6.7%, although total cruise passenger numbers fell slightly.

Sjöfartsverket notes a continued shift towards fewer calls by small and medium-sized vessels, while larger ships account for a greater share of traffic. The authority links the decline primarily to weak economic conditions, which continue to weigh on Swedish maritime trade.