All Posts By

sandra

Dec 16
Love4

French State decided to help Corsica to pay the fine of 86.3 million to Corsica Ferries

By 2021 Newsletter week 50

At the end of September, the CDC ‘Collectivité de Corse’ has been ordered by the Council of State to pay EUR 86.3 million to Corsica Ferries, in compensation for the damage linked to the illegal subsidies of its former competitor SNCM, between 2007 and 2013.

CDC refused to pay and wanted the French State to take its responsibilities.

This now happened: the French Government decided on Friday 10 December 2021 to support the CDC with EUR 50 million.

The sum of now almost 90 million (with the interests) represents one third of the annual budget of the island.

The financial injection from the State will be given through the PTIC (‘Plan de transformation et d’investissement pour la Corse’), an investment programme of 500 million over 5 years.

It means the State doesn’t pay 50 million for the fine. It pays this amount to help Corsica to invest. If Corsica would have to pay the fine, it would have less money to invest. (…)

This system has two advantages:

  • No mention is made of the dispute with Corsica Ferries.
  • Politically the State agrees its past involvement in the case, but this ‘confession’ does not have a legal value.

(Source: FR3, in French)

Dec 16
Love4

Levante Ferries speeds up for the Thessaloniki-Smyrna line

By 2021 Newsletter week 50

Last week, Levante Ferries’ executives travelled to Turkey to meet with executives of the UKAT as well as the Transporters and International Carriers Association and speed up the procedures for the restart of the Thessaloniki-Smyrna line that slowed down due to the pandemic.

Both sides discussed about the line, while relevant trade agreements were concluded. The new connection will start next April with the fully renovated ship SMYRNA.

However, the company plans to launch a second ship with a similar capacity in order to meet with the needs of the line. Turkish representatives estimate that the new line will attract at least 1,000 vehicles per month fro

Source: Christos Chatzaras

Dec 16
Love4

Discussions for possible extension of Cyprus-Greece ferry link to Israel

By 2021 Newsletter week 50

According to a press release (in Greek) by the Deputy Ministry of Shipping of Cyprus, Israel is interested in a possible extension of Cyprus-Greece ferry link. Both countries shared the view that the possibility of extending the Cyprus-Greece maritime connection with Israel will:

  • facilitate the free movement of persons and will enrich the available options for transportation between the three countries, which are currently limited to air transport.
  • serve the needs of special categories of citizens who are unable to travel by air either because of medical reasons or age
  • create a new market for tourism between Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and Europe
  • form an alternative way of transporting passengers by sea, which will be a more environmentally friendly option in relation to air transport.
Dec 16
Love4

COLOR VIKING laid up because of new corona measures

By 2021 Newsletter week 50

Color Line has decided to take COLOR VIKING temporarily out of operation on the Sandefjord-Strømstad route on Monday 13 December. This is due to a significant decrease in the number of passengers after the government introduced new national corona measures and requested limited social contact.

The decision entails, in this round, notification of redundancy to just under 100 employees.

Dec 16
Love4

French shipbuilding group Piriou settles in Romania and takes over ATG shipyard

By 2021 Newsletter week 50

ATG shipyard became a 100% subsidiary of French Piriou Group.

ATG shipyard is located in Giurgiu, 60 km south of Bucarest-Romania.

Firstly exclusively dedicated to building vessels for inland waterway shipping, ATG gradually broadened its scope in building hulls and vessels for the offshore cargo transport, fishing industries, etc.

The shipyard of Giurgiu is located on 15 Ha of land and fitted with 30,000 m2 of workshops. Four 110m assembly halls communicate via a transfer area with a 110m and 3,000t lifting capacity synchrolift. This synchrolift overlooks a well-protected dock that communicates with the Danube.

The shipyard outfit quay is nearly 250m long.

Piriou builds ferries as well: see some examples.

Dec 16
Love4

Havilla Voyages’ first of four ships set sail

By 2021 Newsletter week 50

Sunday 12.12.21 was a historic day both for Havila Voyages and for the coastal route Bergen-Kirkenes when Tersan-built HAVILA CAPELLA set sail.

The large amount of battery power allows to sail for four hours without noise and emissions, which will have its importance especially in the world heritage fjords.

The food concept on board with no buffets and where guests are personally served at their tables for all meals also means that Havila Voyages will cut food waste by a total of 60 tonnes per year.

Three more ships are under construction. When all in operation, Hurtigruten will have 7 ships and Havila Voyages 4 on the classic Norwegian coastal voyage.