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sandra

Jan 16
Love3

Stena Line Sets New Freight Record on Belfast Routes

By 2026 Newsletter week 03

Stena Line recorded another freight record on its three Belfast routes in 2025.

Volumes increased by 1.0% to almost 600,000 freight units, shipped to Cairnryan, Liverpool (Birkenhead) and Heysham.

The Belfast–Liverpool route led growth, exceeding 270,000 units, while Belfast–Heysham posted its highest volumes in five years.

Further growth is expected with the introduction of STENA CONNECTA in January, joining STENA FUTURA.

Together, the two newbuilds will add 40% freight capacity on the Belfast–Heysham route.

Jan 16
Love3

Fred. Olsen Express and Baleària add BUENAVISTA EXPRESS to Huelva–Canaries route

By 2026 Newsletter week 03

Fred. Olsen Express and Baleària will deploy BUENAVISTA EXPRESS on the Huelva–Canary Islands service, replacing SICILIA from 24 January 2026.

From that date, the route will be operated by MARIE CURIE and BUENAVISTA EXPRESS, ensuring a reliable and efficient service for both passengers and rolling cargo.

BUENAVISTA EXPRESS is the former FORTUNY. The RoPax will make its inaugural sailing on 24 January.

Jan 16
Love3

Torghatten Wins Herøy–Dønna Ferry Contract

By 2026 Newsletter week 03

Torghatten has been awarded the Herøy–Dønna ferry tender by Nordland County Council.

Key facts

  • Contract start: 1 February 2027
  • Duration: 7 years
  • Value: ~NOK 1.6 billion
  • Torghatten’s third-largest gross contract

Fleet

  • 4 main vessels: 70 PBE
  • 1 reserve vessel: 60 PBE

Route network

  • Sandnessjøen – Bjørn (Dønna) – Løkta
  • Søvik – Austbø – Flostad (Herøy) – Brasøy

With 3,180 inhabitants, Herøy and Dønna are Norway’s largest island communities by population.

Local economies depend on reliable ferry services:

  • Dønna: agriculture, fishing, aquaculture, tourism, public sector
  • Herøy: fish farming and fish processing

Source: Torghatten

Photo: Einar Aslaksen

Jan 16
Love3

New Italy–Algeria RoRo Service Launched via Marina di Carrara

By 2026 Newsletter week 03

A new regular maritime link between the port of Marina di Carrara in Italy and Djen Djen in Algeria has been launched by Dario Perioli, Grendi Group and Cnan Med.

The service will operate on a monthly basis and will carry both RoRo and containerised cargo. Michele Giromini, CEO of the Dario Perioli Group, underlined that service regularity is essential to allow customers to plan trade flows efficiently, supported by a structured commercial and consultative approach for imports and exports to and from Algeria.

The route will be operated using one of the RoRo vessels of Grendi Trasporti Marittimi.

A new regular maritime link between the port of Marina di Carrara in Italy and Djen Djen in Algeria has been launched by Dario Perioli, Grendi Group and Cnan Med.

The service will operate on a monthly basis and will carry both RoRo and containerised cargo. Michele Giromini, CEO of the Dario Perioli Group, underlined that service regularity is essential to allow customers to plan trade flows efficiently, supported by a structured commercial and consultative approach for imports and exports to and from Algeria.

The route will be operated using one of the RoRo vessels of Grendi Trasporti Marittimi.

Jan 16
Love3

Atlânticoline Selects Carus to Upgrade Digital Passenger Experience

By 2026 Newsletter week 03

Atlânticoline has partnered with Carus to enhance its digital systems for inter-island ferry services in the Azores.

The project includes an online resident validation service to manage reduced fares for Azorean residents, ensuring eligibility is verified without increasing operational complexity. Carus brings relevant experience from similar implementations, including Madeira.

In parallel, the solution will support Portugal’s mandatory digitally signed invoicing, linking every ticket sale to a compliant invoice. Carus has delivered comparable systems in several regulated markets, including Portugal, Turkey, Mexico and Honduras.

Photo Ana Goulart

Jan 16
Love3

DFDS Appoints Michael Hansen as New President & CEO

By 2026 Newsletter week 03

DFDS has appointed Michael Hansen as President & CEO, effective no later than 1 July 2026. He succeeds Torben Carlsen, who is expected to step down on the same date.

Board perspective

Chair Claus V. Hemmingsen said the short-term priority is to improve financial performance, while the longer-term focus remains on unlocking network value through operational optimisation and organic growth, building on DFDS’ customer offering, service levels and people.

Background and mandate

Michael Hansen is a global executive with extensive leadership experience in shipping, transport, and industrial businesses. As President & CEO of Hempel, he has led a strategic transformation that has lifted financial performance, strengthened cash flow, and improved operational scalability. Prior to Hempel, he spent nearly two decades with A.P. Moller – Maersk, holding senior management roles across Europe, Latin America, and Oceania, including CEO of Seago Line and Global Head of Sales for Maersk Line.

Jan 16
Love3

DFDS Appoints New Managing Director for France

By 2026 Newsletter week 03

DFDS has appointed Rémi Liger-Belair as Managing Director for France and Route Director of the Dieppe–Newhaven service

Liger-Belair succeeds Etienne Melliani and will oversee both commercial and operational performance of one of the Channel’s oldest ferry routes.

Originally from Caen, he returns to Normandy after an international career spanning Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Based in Dieppe, Liger-Belair will also represent DFDS nationally, including engagement with French authorities, shipping associations and labour partners.

Jan 09
Love3

Strait Link Sold to Igneo Infrastructure Partners

By 2026 Newsletter week 02

Bass Strait shipping and logistics provider Strait Link is being sold for 100% to Igneo Infrastructure Partners (*). This has been announced by Strait Link’s owner Allegro Funds.

Strait Link’s shipping assets include two RoRo vessels, TASMANIAN ACHIEVER II and VICTORIAN RELIANCE II, supported by secure long-term leases at both Port of Melbourne and Port of Burnie.

The Company’s landside fleet comprises prime movers, trailers, more than 4,500 containers, and 11 depots across Tasmania and Victoria.

Igneo Infrastructure Partners is or was already involved in other ferry companies:

Scandlines is owned by three infrastructure funds: Igneo Infrastructure Partners, 3i Group plc and Federated Hermes.

Igneo completed the sale of ForSea to Molslinjen (EQT / Nordic Ferry Infrastructure) in January 2023.

Source: Strait Link, Igneo Infrastructure Partners, EQT Group, Scandlines

Jan 09
Love3

Tallink 2025: Passenger Numbers Remained Stable

By 2026 Newsletter week 02

AS Tallink Grupp reported broadly stable passenger volumes in 2025, despite economic headwinds across its core markets.

Key Takeaways

  • Q4 2025 passengers: −0.3% year-on-year
  • December 2025 passengers: +0.2% year-on-year
  • Full-year passengers: 5.53 million, −0.9% versus 2024
  • Passenger volumes stabilised at 2024 levels, supported by a strong holiday season.

Route Performance in 2025

  • Finland – Estonia: +1.8% passengers
  • Finland – Sweden: −2.4% passengers
  • Estonia – Sweden: −12.5% passengers

Decline linked to reduced vessel deployment compared with summer 2024.

Cargo Volumes

  • Total cargo units: 245,004
  • −19.2% year-on-year
  • Declines recorded on all routes.
  • Largest drops on Finland–Sweden (−22.8%) and Estonia–Finland (−20%).
  • Cargo contraction eased gradually during the year, indicating early signs of market recovery.

Management Comment

Paavo Nõgene described 2025 as challenging, citing weak consumer confidence and difficult conditions in Finland. He said internal measures helped protect performance.

Actions included:

  • Sale of three vessels to optimise costs
  • Chartering out capacity

Outlook for 2026

  • Focus on defending market position
  • Targeting revenue growth and improved profitability
  • Full inclusion of CO₂ quota costs from 2026
  • Shuttle vessels expected to fully transition to biomethane

Source: Tallink