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sandra

Mar 27
Love3

Charter for Tallink’s SUPERFAST IX

By 2026 Newsletter week 13

AS Tallink Grupp has signed a charter agreement for the passenger vessel SUPERFAST IX.

  • A replacement vessel will be sought for the Paldiski–Kapellskär route
  • The company emphasises this is optimisation, not a capacity reduction

CEO Paavo Nõgene stated that the charter will provide stable cash flow. He added that SUPERFAST IX is not ideally suited to the route due to her large passenger capacity.

The vessel will be handed over on 1 May in Tallinn. Until then, she will continue operating between Estonia and Sweden.

  • Charter period: 3 years
  • Extension option: +2 years
  • Purchase option included

Before delivery, SUPERFAST IX will undergo scheduled maintenance at Turku Repair Yard (Naantali) from 3 to 18 April.

If you wonder why this vessel has created so much fuzz in French media, then read this. Tallink’s initial press release (26/3) stated that the vessel would go to Hibernia Line. This Dublin-based unlimited company (https://chamber.corkchamber.ie/list/member/hibernia-line-unlimited-company-24864) is expected to run a service between Cork and Boulogne-sur-Mer. Surprise: An updated version of the Tallink press release no longer mentions Hibernia Line.

Hibernia Line also removed a rendering of the ferry on the website https://hibernia-line.com/.

The Hibernia Line project is said to involve two vessels. Industry sources suggest AKKA. The same sources speak about a mid-June start of the operations.

Mar 27
Love3

Seajets’ CHAMPION LEAGUE JET 2 Preparing for Domestic Service

By 2026 Newsletter week 13

Seajets’ CHAMPION LEAGUE JET 2 is undergoing her final refit at Elefsis Shipyards (ONEX) dry dock ahead of the 2026 summer season.

The vessel (ex ORHAN GAZI 1, JUMBO JET 1) was acquired in April 2024, together with her sister ship CHAMPION LEAGUE JET 1 (ex OSMAN GAZI 1), from Turkish operator IDO.

Built by Austal in Australia in 2007, she has a capacity of 1,200 passengers and 225 cars. Her service speed will be 35 knots.

Mar 27
Love3

CORSICA Linea Takes Delivery of LNG-Powered RoPax CAPU ROSSU

By 2026 Newsletter week 13

CORSICA Linea has taken delivery in China of its second LNG-powered RoPax ferry, named CAPU ROSSU.

A dedicated ceremony was held at CMJL Jinling Shipyard, in coordination with industrial partner Stena RoRo. The delivery follows a construction programme that included keel laying in February 2025 and sea trials in January 2026.

CAPU ROSSU is part of a series of vessels designed by Stena RoRo and built at the Weihai shipyard.

According to CORSICA linea, the ship was designed to meet the specific needs of Mediterranean transport. The company expects CAPU ROSSU to reach Marseille in May and to enter service in June on routes serving Corsica.

Two welcome ceremonies are scheduled following the vessel’s arrival in Europe: 11 June in Marseille and 12 June in Ajaccio.

Mar 27
Love3

Medmar Navi Prepares MEDMAR MARTINA for the Summer Season

By 2026 Newsletter week 13

As announced in February (Ferry Shipping News), the 1998-built ferry FYNSHAV has been acquired by Medmar Navi and renamed MEDMAR MARTINA.

The ferry will undergo a refit at Palumbo Shipyard in Naples. A key modification will be the installation of a new stern ramp, currently absent. This upgrade is required for the vessel to obtain authorisation to operate in the Gulf of Naples.

MEDMAR MARTINA has a capacity of approximately: 590 passengers and 100 cars.

In addition to the structural work, the vessel will be repainted in Medmar Navi’s white and blue corporate colours.

The ferry is expected to re-enter service in the Gulf of Naples next summer.

Mar 27
Love3

Baleària Awarded 27-Year Concession for New Barcelona Ferry Terminal

By 2026 Newsletter week 13

The Port Authority of Barcelona has granted Baleària a concession to build and operate a new passenger and RoRo cargo terminal at the Adosado dock.

  • Concession term: 27 years (renewable)
  • No competing bids were submitted after public consultation
  • Application filed in December 2024

Port President José Alberto Carbonell said the project will strengthen operational capacity and support more efficient and sustainable port operations.

Project Scope

The project includes full development of the terminal area:

  • 5,600 m² terminal building (passengers and offices)
  • Passenger and vehicle handling areas
  • Truck and car waiting zones
  • Semi-trailer storage and internal roads
  • Parking, taxi and bus areas, public spaces

Additional features:

  • Boarding bridges
  • OPS (shore power) readiness
  • Photovoltaic energy system
  • Total investment: €25.3 million

Phased Development

  • Phase 1 (Feb 2027): 38,000 m² operational area
  • Phase 2 (end 2029): full 75,250 m² site
  • Final setup: 4 simultaneous RoRo berths
Mar 27
Love3

ELO Becomes Mandatory for UK–EU RoRo Traffic on 20 April

By 2026 Newsletter week 13

From 20 April 2026, the Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO – Enveloppe Logistique Obligatoire) becomes mandatory for all RoRo shipments crossing the Smart Border between the UK and the EU.

ELO is a digital system that consolidates all customs and transport data into a single barcode per truck—whether loaded or empty. This barcode is scanned at the border, allowing authorities to instantly access all required declarations for imports, exports, and transit movements.

For RoRo operators, the impact is significant:

  • One barcode replaces multiple documents
  • Faster processing at terminals
  • Reduced risk of delays due to missing data

In short, ELO is designed to keep high-frequency RoRo traffic flowing efficiently while ensuring full compliance with border formalities.

More details: https://www.douane.gouv.fr/fiche/obligatory-logistics-envelope-elo-key-transition-roro-trade-united-kingdom

Mar 27
Love3

Norway: Multi-Operator Ferry Ticket Portal Launched

By 2026 Newsletter week 13
  • Mobitech launches Osinos, a unified ticket portal for multiple ferry operators and merchants
  • Eliminates third-party distributors, enabling direct sales and instant payments
  • Already used by Fjord1 and Torghatten on several busy crossings

The platform simplifies ticketing for Norway’s fragmented RoRo ferry network and aims to improve both customer experience and operator efficiency.

Mar 27
Love3

France Warns of Port Disruption Risk from EES Rollout

By 2026 Newsletter week 13
  • French ports and shipowners warn EES system not operational ahead of 10 April launch
  • Risk of congestion, delays, and degraded passenger experience during peak season
  • System seen as poorly adapted to ferry flows, especially passengers travelling with vehicles

Armateurs de France and the Union des Ports de France call for urgent talks with authorities to avoid disruption at port border crossings.

Source: Open letter (in French)