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sandra

Jul 12
2

Scandlines sees improvement

By | 2024 Newsletter week 28 | No Comments

Freight: After a slight but persistent negative trend in the freight sector due to geopolitical factors, Scandlines sees improvement. In the first half of 2024, truck traffic on the Rostock-Gedser route grew by 5 percent compared to the previous year, with signs of economic recovery in Denmark, Sweden, and the Benelux countries. 

Passengers in Coaches and Cars: Passenger transport in coaches on the Rostock-Gedser route increased by 5 percent in the first six months of 2024 compared to 2023. Although car traffic was slightly down in the same period, advance bookings for the summer season are promising, bolstered by the start of school holidays in Denmark. 

Passengers: The desire for group trips abroad is returning, contributing to the positive growth in bus transport. Car traffic is expected to increase significantly during the summer season, indicating a rebound in passenger numbers using Scandlines’ ferry services. 

Sustainability: Scandlines is making strides towards its sustainability goals, aiming for zero-emission ferry operations by 2030 on the Puttgarden-Rødby route and zero direct emissions by 2040. Investments include rotor sails, propeller optimizations, and the commissioning of the fully electric freight ferry “Futura” in 2024. Since 2013, EUR 400 million has been invested in these initiatives, with a target to reduce CO2 emissions by 60 percent by 2030 compared to 2008. 

Photo: Scandlines/Ulrich Wirrwa 

Jul 12
2

Commission clears Italian public support for Caremar ferry service

By | 2024 Newsletter week 28 | No Comments

The European Commission has concluded that public service compensation granted to Caremar SpA from January 2009 to July 2012, and from July 2015 to July 2024, aligns with EU State aid rules. This includes €98 million for eight routes in the Gulf of Naples and €97 million from 2015 to 2024.

The Commission determined that these compensations met public service needs without overcompensation and did not qualify as State aid. Additionally, fiscal exemptions and funds used for safety upgrades were deemed non-aid measures. More details are available on the European Commission’s press release. 

Photo: Caremar 

Jul 12
2

Interview with Peter Ståhlberg, CEO Wasaline

By | 2024 Newsletter week 28 | No Comments

Executive summary 

  1. Emission Neutrality Goal: Wasaline aims to operate emission-neutral by 2030, studying greener propulsion systems for their fleet. 
  1. Success of Aurora Botnia: The low-emission ferry “Aurora Botnia” has seen significant success on the Umeå (Sweden) to Vaasa (Finland) route, with strong winter holiday bookings. 
  1. Economic Impact: Favorable Swedish currency exchange rates have made trips to Sweden more attractive for passengers, especially for purchasing alcohol. 
  1. ETS Benefits: Wasaline expects to benefit from the ETS (Emission Trading System), with efficient operations reducing CO2 emissions by 5% per voyage. 
  1. Future Investments: Plans include converting engines to use methanol and increasing battery capacity, with local methanol production starting around 2026-2027. 
  1. Cargo Challenges: Cargo volumes have been impacted by reduced paper exports and the cessation of Russian trade, but intermodal cargo by train is growing. 
  1. Operational Efficiency: Wasaline focuses on efficiency with a small organization and innovative operational strategies. 
  1. Sustainability Projects: Local methanol production and multimodal transport solutions are key to Wasaline’s future green operations. 
  1. Biogas Operations: Wasaline plans to resume biogas operations for cargo transport, balancing fuel types to reduce emissions. 
  1. Industry Leadership: Wasaline aims to lead the industry in green transport, investing in technology and infrastructure to eliminate fossil fuel use and reduce CO2 emissions. 
Jul 12
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2024 Newsletter week 28 | No Comments

South Korea’s KT Marine held a welcoming ceremony for its new vessel, a Damen Fast Ferry 4212 named Hamel. The company placed its order for the vessel earlier this year. The rapid delivery is the result of Damen’s serial construction of vessels for stock. 

Hamel will transport up to 423 passengers at speeds of up to 40 knots. She will operate a route between Yeosu Harbour and Geomundo Island.  

Hamel is the seventh Damen Fast Ferry, and the fifth Fast Ferry 4212, to be delivered to South Korea in recent years. 

Source: Damen 

Ruby Express is the name chosen for the fourth vessel for the company L’Express des Iles, a company in the FRS Group. She’s the former Algeciras Express. 

A new side roro access ramp has been installed last week. In July the vessel will sail to the Caribbean for her new role. 

On May 2024 the Danish Molslinjen announced that its HSC Max Mols has been sold to a Mediterranean ferry operator. According to information the ship will be delivered in the end of 2024, while many suggest that she was probably sold to a Greek ferry operator without having any Greek information at the moment. The ship served for many years the Aarhus-Odden route but also been on the Rønne – Ystad route (Bornholm route). Max Mols was built in Australia (1998/Incat).  

Photo: Wikipedia 

According to Greek press (Source: Kathimerini), rumour has it that Attica Group is in advanced discussions with Chinese shipyards to build eight ships by 2029. The company’s goal is to decarbonize its fleet by 2030. The specific investment plan includes:  

  • 2 E-Flexers announced last week that will be introduced in the Adriatic service by 2027. 
  • 2 larger AERO High-speed craft for the Saronic Island service 
  • 4 more ships for Cyclades, Dodecanese and North Aegean run (2 medium-size ferries, 2 high-speed ferries).  

Finally, the 3 ships that will be released from the Adriatic service (SUPERFAST XI, SUPERFAST III and HELLENIC SPIRIT) will serve the domestic market. 

Jul 05
3

Red Funnel goes e-foiling

By | 2024 Newsletter week 27 | No Comments

Red Funnel’s Southampton to West Cowes route, currently served by Red Jets 6 and 7, will be enhanced with the addition of a zero-emission, electric e-foiling passenger ferry (Artemis Technologies EF-24 Passenger). 

Operation of the Artemis EF-24 Passenger will save up to 3,700 tonnes of CO2e per year.  

Using electricity from renewable sources will increase annual emissions savings to approximately 4,150 tonnes of CO2e. 

In addition to reducing air pollution and noise, the fully accessible passenger ferry will use cutting-edge hydrofoil propulsion technology to fly over waves, lifting the vessel out of the water to reduce drag and provide a smoother, quieter and more comfortable experience for passengers. 

Source

Jul 05
2

E-Flexer galore

By | 2024 Newsletter week 27 | No Comments

Two more E-Flexers have been announced last week (with an option for two more). 

See our news here. 

Here’s the complete list of all E-Flexers: 

  1. Stena Line – 2019 
  1. Stena Line – 2020 
  1. Brittany Ferries – 2020 
  1. Stena Line – 2021 
  1. DFDS – 2021 
  1. Brittany Ferries – 2021 – LNG  
  1. Stena Line – May 2022 – Extended version 
  1. Stena Line – September 2022 – Extended version 
  1. Brittany Ferries – December 2022 – LNG  
  1. Marine Atlantic – February 2024 – LNG operation with battery-hybrid installation 
  1. Brittany Ferries – 2024 – LNG operation with battery-hybrid installation 
  1. Brittany Ferries – 2025 – LNG operation with battery-hybrid installation 
  1. Corsica Linea – 2026 – LNG operation with battery-hybrid installation 
  1. Attica Group – April 2027 – Methanol-ready, Battery-hybrid installation 
  1. Attica Group – delivery August 2027 – Methanol-ready, Battery-hybrid installation 

Download the HiRes overview as PDF 

Download the HiRes overview as PNG 

Jul 05
2

Interview with Michael Goldmann Petersen, Scandlines COO

By | 2024 Newsletter week 27 | No Comments

Executive Summary 

Ferry Capacity and Operation: 

  • The new electric freight ferry Futura will enter service in late 2024, complementing Scandlines’ fleet with a capacity of 66 truck units. 
  • Futura will be fully electrically operated, initially charging in Rødby, with Puttgarden infrastructure ready by 2025. 

2023 Performance: 

  • Scandlines transported 6.4 million passengers, 1.6 million cars, and over 704,000 freight units. 
  • Passenger numbers increased by 5%, but freight business saw a 7% decline due to the economic slowdown in Europe. 

Leadership Changes: 

  • Michael Guldmann Petersen was appointed acting CEO in February 2024, continuing as COO until July, when Eric Gregoire will assume the CEO role. 

Sustainability Initiatives: 

  • Scandlines is investing in electric propulsion, with Futura being emission-free and two other ferries, Schleswig-Holstein and Deutschland, set to convert to at least 80% electric operation by 2025. 

Market Trends and Projections: 

  • The German market is growing, with an increase in German travelers to Denmark and Sweden. 
  • The Swedish market saw a decline in border shop visitors due to exchange rate impacts, despite similar spending levels in Swedish Kronas. 
  • Freight volumes are expected to be flat in the first half of 2024, with a slight increase in the second half. 

Infrastructure and Technological Developments: 

  • Rødby charging installation is complete, with Puttgarden expected to be operational by September 2025. 
  • Futura will operate in a two-hour rotation sequence, enabled by dual-port charging. 
  • Potential future enhancements include increasing battery capacity and considering emission-free operations in Rostock port. 

Challenges and Future Plans: 

  • The feasibility of converting additional ferries to electric power depends on securing funding from EU or Danish government sources. 
  • The ongoing Fehmarn tunnel project is not significantly disrupting ferry operations, although close monitoring and adjustments are required. 
  • Kronprins Frederik will continue as a backup ferry and support freight volumes during peak times. 

Click on this picture to read RoPax magazine – Photo Scandlines 

Jul 05
2

ASSARMATORI chose the fuels for the future: LNG and biofuel

By | 2024 Newsletter week 27 | No Comments

Neither ammonia nor hydrogen. For the Italian shipowners association ASSARMATORI the right choices for the future are LNG and biofuels because they are already available and well tested. This was the key message that emerged this week in Rome at the annual meeting of the association, chaired by Stefano Messina, which represents almost all the short-sea and deep-sea RoRo and RoPax companies based and active in Italy. 

ASSARMATORI has asked Italian and European governments to focus on and select incentives and financial support for these two types of fuels, which have a higher price compared to traditional fuels. 

The association’s goal from now onwards is to obtain all the viable financial resources from ETS and FuelEU to sustain the green transition of maritime transport (through incentives for modal shift, fleet renewals, pricing for new fuels, etc.). 

Jul 05
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2024 Newsletter week 27 | No Comments

At Guangzhou Shipyard International, China, the keel laying ceremony took place for the third new RoPax vessel commissioned by GNV. The LNG-fuelled new ship, already renamed GNV VIRGO, will have a capacity for 1,785 passengers, 420 cabins, and 2,780 lane metres. It is scheduled for delivery before the end of 2026.  

The fourth unit, still to be named, will also be dual-fuel LNG, while the first two under construction at GSI in China are fitted with scrubbers.  

GNV Polaris will be delivered before the end of the current year and GNV Orion in 2025. 

Bridgemans Services Group have renewed their agreement with Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT) for RoRo Cabo Star to continue to connect Port of Spain and Scarborough until January 2026. 

The vessel has been an integral support to the Trinidad and Tobago economy since starting the regularly scheduled sea bridge service between the Port of Spain and the Port of Scarborough seven years ago, in 2017.  

Cabo Star now makes approximately 288 round trips between the ports on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago annually, reliably transporting approximately 66,000 vehicles, 5,500 trucks and trailers, 2,500 containers and 4,100 flatbeds each year.   

Source: Bridgemans 

Baleària’s new fast ferry Margarita Salas’ is carrying out its natural gas sea trials. 

Soon she will be ready to sail between Barcelona, Ciutadella de Menorca and Alcudia, Mallorca. 

Photo: Baleària 

On Friday 28 June 2024, the keel laying ceremony of the first of the two all-new NewMax hybrid vessels took place in China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in WeiHai, China.  

Stena Futura, the chosen name for this ship, is one of two NewMax hybrid vessels that will play a key role in Stena Line’s journey to sustainable fuel as they will both be able to operate on methanol fuel. 

Baleària and Fred. Olsen Express have increased their activity on the route between Huelva and the Canary Islands with a fourth weekly connection in both directions between July 1 and September 30. The additional departure is necessary to meet the high demand expected for this summer period, both for passengers and freight. 

Source: Port of Huelva 

On June 29, HSC Hellenic Highspeed left Greece, chartered to Africa Morocco Link for the summer season of 2024. The ship is expected to enter service on the Algeciras – Tanger Med route on July 6, and she will remain until the end of the season. 

Photo: Attica Group 

It is reported that Finikas Lines’ Finikas Highspeed (ex Sfakia Pionner/Oniyouzu) has been introduced on the Corfu – Agioi Saranda (Albania) route on July 1, 2024. The ship was initially purchased by the Cretan based Anendyk Seaways on February 2019 for the Sfakia-Gavdos route. However, she remained laid up at the port of Souda (Crete) until March 2024 and sold to the Albania-based Finikas Lines. 

Photo: Finikas Lines 

Greek Saronic Ferries has chosen Swedish Nowhere Networks as supplier of high-speed internet for its fleet consisting of five ships operating in the Saronic region of Greece. 

Read more on Nowhere Networks