All Posts By

sandra

Dec 16
Love4

Finnlines introduces a larger vessel on Finland and Sweden

By 2021 Newsletter week 50

At the end of January 2022, ropax EUROPALINK will replace FINNFELLOW on the Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär route.

First, she will replace FINNSWAN during her scheduled dry docking at the beginning of January.

The cargo capacity will increase by 1,200 lane meters and passenger capacity by over 100. She will sail under the Finnish flag, employing about 80 Finnish seafarers.

EUROPALINK is one of the series of five ropax vessels, one of which, FINNSWAN, has been operating on the route since 2018. The entry of EUROPALINK means that both morning and evening departures offer the same capacity and a uniform service concept and facilities for all customers.

Before transferring to the Finland–Sweden traffic, the public areas on EUROPALINK will be refurbished to upgrade travel comfort.

FINNFELLOW will move from Naantali to the Malmö–Travemünde route.

Dec 16
Love4

New ferry for Alaska

By 2021 Newsletter week 50

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy and Transportation Commissioner Ryan Anderson announced their plan to re-energize the Alaska Marine Highway System. Among the significant capital investments is a new ocean-class vessel to replace the 57-year-old TUSTUMENA ferry.

The replacement vessel is estimated to cost $200 million to $250 million and will be competitively bid. The new ship is expected to begin service in 2027. The new ship’s vehicle and passenger capacity would increase by 40 percent over the TUSTUMENA, from 34 to 52 vehicles and from 160 to 250 passengers.

Dec 09
Love4

Stena Line enters the Finnish ferry scene

By 2021 Newsletter week 49

Stena Line goes east, by adding a new Baltic Sea route between Stockholm (Nynäshamn/Norvik) and Hanko.

Norvik Port is located south of Stockholm.

The new route starts on 1 February 2022 and will be served by ropax URD three times per week and port.

Sister vessel STENA GOTHICA will join the route on 1 May 2022. Norvik – Hanko will then be served with daily departures from both ports allowing for smooth loading and unloading during full day port stays.

The ships have a capacity of 1,600 lane meters and 186 pax.

The crossing takes 13 hours.

Stena Line´s latest investments in the Baltic Sea include the deployment of two long newly built E-Flexers on the route Nynäshamn – Ventspils and the large capacity improvement on Karlskrona-Gdynia with the lengthened STENA SCANDICA and STENA BALTICA.

Dec 09
Love4

One more “hydrogen” ferry route in Norway

By 2021 Newsletter week 49

The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has nominated Torghatten Nord as the winner of the competition to operate the ferry connection Bodø-Røst-Værøy-Moskenes.

The contract is valid for 15 years, from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2040, with an option of up to one year.

There were five bidders:

  • Torghatten Nord, offer price NOK 4,979,344,000
  • Norled, offer A, offer sum NOK 6,310,051,713
  • Norled, offer B, offer sum NOK 6,459,754,728
  • Boreal Vestfjorden, offer price NOK 7,852,434,000
  • Fjord1, offer sum NOK 9,500,000,000

Once the contract is signed (before Christmas 2021), Torghatten Nord can proceed with the choice of ferries, which will be hydrogen-powered.

Dec 09
Love4

FRS suspends some of its Mediterranean routes

By 2021 Newsletter week 49

FRS decided to suspend the routes between Mallorca and Menorca (Alcúdia-Ciutadella) as from 15 December 2021. This ferry connection had been started on 27 May 2021 with fast ferry TARIFA JET.

The route between Ibiza and Formentera (Eivissa-La Savina) will also be shut down. It started on 28 June, with fast ferry SAN GWANN.

FRS also terminates the connection between the Spanish exclave Melilla and the Andalusian port of Motril.

The decision is motivated by the current situation of COVID in Europe and North Africa, which represents a significant reduction in passenger traffic and, consequently, these routes generate losses.

Travel subsidies for the inhabitants of the islands also created a competition with the low-cost model of FRS.

An overview based on the FRS website:

  • Alcúdia-Ciutadella: suspended on 15 December 2021
  • Algeciras-Ceuta: fully running
  • Tarifa-Tangier Ville: temporarily suspended
  • Algeciras-Tangier Med: temporarily suspended
  • Motril-Melilla: suspended on 10 December 2021
  • Ibiza-Formentera: suspended
  • Motril-Tangier Med: temporarily suspended
Dec 09
Love4

Greek hospitality industry

By 2021 Newsletter week 49

Attica Group expands further in the Greek tourism industry and invests in complementary activities, capitalising on the strong potential of Attica Group.

Attica Blue Hospitality S.M.S.A, a 100% subsidiary of Attica Group, acquired the owning company of Naxos Resort Beach Hotel located on Naxos, in the Agios Georgios beach, for a total consideration of Euro 6.5 million, funded through bank financing.

The hotel complex is constructed on a total surface area of 8,166.92 sqm, has capacity of 88 rooms, with the potential of additional construction of 1,300 sqm, a swimming pool, restaurants, bar, conference facilities, gym, spa and parking space. Attica Blue Hospitality will upgrade and expand the hotel facilities.

The acquisition of Naxos Resort Beach Hotel marks the beginning of Attica Group’s investment in the hospitality industry, allowing the Group to serve a wider range of its customers’ needs and to strengthen its financial position by producing direct synergies.

Dec 09
Love4

Attica improves its credit rating

By 2021 Newsletter week 49

Attica Holdings S.A. announces, in line with the provisions of the Common Bond Loan issued on 26.07.2019, that ICAP S.A., pursuant to the Company’s regular reassessment, upgraded its credit rating by one (1) notch with the assignment of a BB credit rating (low credit risk zone).

Dec 09
Love4

JUTLANDIA SEA and FIONIA SEA to Stena Line

By 2021 Newsletter week 49

Stena Line has announced the ships for its ‘new’ Rotterdam – Immingham service (Immingham instead of Killingholme). The timetable shows JUTLANDIA SEA and STENA FORERUNNER, starting as from 4 January 2022.

STENA FORERUNNER will be replaced later by FIONIA SEA.

JUTLANDIA SEA is actually being used by Wallenius SOL (photo), and will be replaced by the newbuilding BOTNIA ENABLER, under construction in China.

FIONIA SEA will be replaced by the second newbuilt, BALTIC ENABLER.

Both JUTLANDIA SEA and FIONIA SEA will be chartered by Stena Line, for a period of 4 year.

Stena Line has extended the charter of the SOMERSET by 12 months, beginning January 2022. The CLdN ship has been on charter to Stena since August 2018 and is normally used on the Harwich – Rotterdam roro service (source: NI Ferry).

Dec 09
Love5

Cretan Cargo Lines purchased Pentland Ferry’s ORCADIA

By 2021 Newsletter week 49

On December 5, 2021 Cretan Cargo Lines’ latest acquisition, ORCADIA (former SATURN), arrived -under tow-  at Spanopoulos Shipyards (Perama) ending her long journey from St. Margaret’s Hope, Orkney.

She was purchased from Pentland Ferries and served as a freighter around Orkney and the Pentland Firth since 2015. Originally, she was operated by Caledonian Mac Brayne (1978-2011). She will join Cretan Cargo’s fleet on the domestic market next season as a passenger/roro ferry.

Cretan Cargo Lines is active in RoRo transportation in Greece since 2013 and owns 3 RoRo vessels (IOSIF K, TALOS, NEARCHOS).

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos