In 2020:
Maritime transport of passengers in EU ports was severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, decreasing by 45.0% compared to 2019.
The total number of passengers embarked and disembarked in EU ports was 230.1 million.
Italy remained the largest maritime passenger transport country in Europe.
The top EU maritime ports embarking & disembarking passengers were:
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.
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.
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
French antitrust authorities have announced to study the agreement between DFS and P&O on Calais – Dover.
Earlier, the British authorities announced the same. (see Ferry Shipping News)
According to Equasis, Stena RoRo has sold MONT VENTOUX to CMA CGM. The latter has chartered the vessel from Stena RoRo for many years.
Irish Continental Group
Volumes (Year to date, 20 November 2021)
Ferries Division (Irish Ferries)
Volumes (since last Trading Update, 21 August 2021)
Irish Continental Group plc will acquire CIUDAD DE MAHON from Trasmed GLE in January 2022.
The vessel will serve the Dover – Calais route operated by Irish Ferries after dry docking and branding changes.
The vessel was built in 2000 as NORTHERN MERCHANT and had Dover as her port of registry at that time.
Passenger capacity 589. Freight unit carrying capacity 91.
Irish Ferries commenced services on the Dover – Calais route on 29 June 2021.
The plan was to have a three-ship operation, with up to 30 sailings per day on the route with sailings in each direction approximately every 90 minutes.
Fleet:
The introduction of the two extra vessels represents a total investment of €35.5m
CEO David Stretch will be leaving P&O Ferries, to pursue new opportunities outside of the Group.
David Stretch took over the reins at P&O Ferries following the departure of CEO Janette Bell in August 2020.
David Stretch will be replaced in his role by Peter Hebblethwaite, as interim CEO, whilst maintaining his current role.
Peter Hebblethwaite has served both as Director Overnight Routes and Managing Director – RoPax during his three years with the company.
On 1 January 2022, UK customs procedures become more stringent. (*)
As a result, freight customers demand for earlier arrivals into the UK, and improved frequency. Therefore, DFDS and CLdN have entered into a Space Charter Agreement.
DFDS and CLdN will each provide one additional vessel, on a rotation Rozenburg – Vlaardingen – Killingholme from Sunday through Friday.
“At the moment we do indeed arrive at Killingholme at 07:00, but the early arrival (at 05:00) of this additional sailing makes all the difference for customers as it allows them to do an extra trip in the UK, which is very interesting given the traction problem there,” says a CLdN spokesman. “In addition, the earlier arrival is important for certain product groups.”
In Rotterdam, customers will have the possibility to load and discharge cargo in either Rozenburg and/or Vlaardingen.
DFDS and CLdN will continue operating all sailings independently including all related commercial activities.
This additional service will start on 11 January 2022.
Extra advantage: by going to C-Ro’s terminal in Killingholme, any congestion at DFDS’ terminal in Immingham will be relieved.
(*) [BOM, border operating model, explained by Dutch Government]
Remarks
