All Posts By

sandra

Dec 02
Love4

Stena RoRo’s first LNG dual-fuel E-Flexer SALAMANCA delivered to Brittany Ferries

By 2021 newsletter week 48

SALAMANCA, the second of five ships in the E-Flexer class ordered by Stena RoRo for Brittany Ferries was delivered on November 30.

  • Sixth E-Flexer of twelve ordered from the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling (Weihai).
  • Chartered by Brittany Ferries on a long-term basis and has been especially adapted to the needs of the French ferry company.
  • First ship in the E-Flexer series with gas engines.
  • The interior has been designed by Richard Nilsson, Figura Architects.
  • Length 214.5m| 2723 lanemeters | 1,100 persons (passengers & crew)
  • Routes: Bilbao & Santander – UK (with SANTOÑA which joins fleet in 2023)
Dec 02
Love4

Rederi AB Gotland buys Belgian and bareboat charters to KiwiRail

By 2021 newsletter week 48

On November 24, 2021, Rederi AB Gotland said it has acquired the Kawasaki-class roro vessel VALENTINE from Cobelfret Ferries.

The vessel has been chartered out on a bare-boat basis to KiwiRail for traffic in the Cooks Sound between the North Island and the South Island of New Zealand.

VALENTINE is now on her way to New Zealand and is expected to arrive there during the second half of December.

Dec 02
Love4

ESPO asks for ambitious and coherent legislation on provision and use of clean energy infrastructure for shipping

By 2021 newsletter week 48

Europe’s ports welcome that the review of the current AFIR proposal is accompanied by provisions in the new FuelEU Maritime Proposal, which requires vessels to use shore-side electricity infrastructure at berth.

The alignment of requirements between what ports need to do and the obligations for shipping lines to use the infrastructure is one of the main points of ESPO’s joint position on the maritime pillar of the proposal for an Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) and on the proposal for a FuelEU Maritime Regulation.

Europe’s ports ask for a full alignment of Article 9 of the AFIR proposal with Articles 4 and 5, as well as with Annex III of the FuelEU Maritime proposal.

Dec 02
Love4

Trasmed GLE protests

By 2021 newsletter week 48

Trasmed GLE, a ferry company part of Grimaldi Group, publicly protested against the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands for the alleged unfair competitive conditions in favour of the competitor Baleària.

The company headed by Ettore Morace complained about the fact that its vessel VOLCAN DEL TEIDE was obliged to wait for a berth off the port of Alicudi because of ferry NAPOLES.

As a consequence, Trasmed’s vessel had to berth one hour and a half later than scheduled. The case will be taken by Grimaldi Group’s subsidiary to the competent authorities for the antitrust in Spain.

Dec 02
Love4

RoRo AMIRA MARFAT is heading for scrap

By 2021 newsletter week 48

RoRo AMIRA MARFAT (former ALEXO, FINNMERCHANT, MERCHANT, FINNLAND), is on her way to Aliaga (Turkey) for scrap, flying the flag of Comoros.

The ship was sold by the Cypriot Salamis Lines last September to the Turkish Merfat Maritime, in the context of upgrading its shipping activities and renewing its fleet. She was purchased in January 2017 and replaced -on the Lavrion-Limassol-Haifa line- by the newer VASSILEIOS (1990).

Photo: Selim San

Nov 25
Love4

Irish Continental Group has seen its revenue improve 22%

By 2021 Newsletter week 47

Irish Continental Group

  • Consolidated Group revenue in the period was €279.7 million, an increase of €50.2 million or 21.9% compared with last year.
  • This was partially offset by an increase in costs, primarily fuel which increased by €17m (60%) versus 2020 due to increased sailings and higher global prices.
  • The Group remains in a strong financial position with cash and undrawn committed credit facilities at 31 October of €142.4 million and net debt of €114.4 million (pre-IFRS 16: €64.1 million).

Volumes (Year to date, 20 November 2021)

Ferries Division (Irish Ferries)

  • Improved trading conditions in its passenger business following the easing of travel restrictions across the EU in mid-July with the introduction of the EU Digital Covid Certificate.
  • Brexit negatively impacting freight volumes but positively impacting freight revenue as more freight customers take the longer direct route to France.
  • Total revenues recorded in the period to 31 October were €144.5m, up 24%.
  • On a like for like basis (excluding Dover-Calais) over the same period, compared with 2020: Roro volumes are down 20% but roro revenue is flat as more customers use the Dublin-Cherbourg route where rates are higher given the longer journey time.
  • Car volumes are up 16%
  • The impact of Covid related restrictions has had a significant impact on Passenger traffic with car volumes year to date on a like for like basis (excluding Dover Calais) down 61% compared with 2019 but reassuringly with the easing of restrictions car volumes in the period 22nd Aug to 20th November 21 were only down 22% compared with the same period in 2019.

Volumes (since last Trading Update, 21 August 2021)