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sandra

Nov 21
3

Port of Antwerp-Bruges Hosts Ship Firefighting Seminar in Zeebruges

By | 2025 Newsletter week 47 | No Comments

Port of Antwerp-Bruges held a seminar on ship firefighting in the ABC Building in Zeebruges. Experts from the maritime sector, emergency services and government bodies discussed lessons learned from recent incidents, including the DELPHINE fire earlier this year.

Key points:

  • Focus on improving joint response to shipboard fires.
  • Detailed analysis of the DELPHINE incident and its impact on a new SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for ship fires.
  • Officials highlighted the need for structural cooperation between fire brigades, port authorities, terminals, shipping lines and federal services.
  • Partners are preparing a public–private network for training, information exchange and standardised procedures, planned for formal launch in spring 2026.
Nov 21
3

Ferryhopper Launches Real-Time Disruption Platform

By | 2025 Newsletter week 47 | No Comments

Ferryhopper has introduced the first fully integrated real-time disruption platform for ferry travel. The new Ferry Travel Alerts page provides verified updates on delays, cancellations, and schedule changes.

Ferry travel in regions such as Greece, Italy, and Spain is often affected by last-minute disruptions. Until now, passengers had to search multiple sources for accurate information. Ferryhopper’s new tool centralises everything in one place.

Key Features

  • Live updates across all operators and routes.
  • Real-time details on delays and cancellations.
  • Mobile-optimised design.
  • 24/7 updates from Ferryhopper’s content and support team.

The platform uses advanced AI supported by human oversight. It is the first global tool to gather all critical ferry disruption information in real time.

CEO Christos Spatharakis said the company continues to invest in innovation to make ferry travel more transparent and reliable.

The Alerts page builds on Ferryhopper’s earlier innovations, such as online ticket modification, digital boarding passes and the first ferry ChatGPT plugin.

Travellers can access the new Ferry Travel Alerts page on Ferryhopper.

Nov 21
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 47 | No Comments

According to a recent decision by the Governor of the Hellenic Public Ports Authority, the ferry LEXA (ex ALEXANDRA L, AQUA MARIA, MYRTIDIOTISSA, ANEMOS, KURUSHIMA MARU, FERRY MUROTO) must be removed from Neos Molos in the Drapetsona/Keratsini area.

The decision cites environmental and safety concerns, as well as the protection of other ships operating in the port. LEXA has been laid up at Keratsini since June 2019 and was never reactivated. She is expected to be sold for scrap.

Built in Japan in 1975, she was sold to Nomicos Lines in 1989 and subsequently operated within Hellenic coastal shipping. She has a capacity for 1,200 passengers and 175 cars, with a service speed of 18 knots.

Photo: Dimitris Mendakis

HSC FAIRWEATHER Sold to Seajets

HSC FAIRWEATHER, recently sold to Seajets, is on her way to Greece from Ibiza. The vessel has been renamed SPEEDLINK JET and now flies the Cypriot flag.

Originally built in 2004 by Derecktor Shipyards in Bridgeport (Connecticut) for the Alaska Marine Highway System, she was sold in March 2021 to Servicios y Concesiones Marítimas Ibicencas (Trasmapi) for service between Alcudia (Mallorca) and Ciutadella (Menorca).

The fast ferry has capacity for 400 passengers and 65 cars, and a service speed of 32 knots.

Photo: Vessels Tracker

MOBY ZAZA Is Now a Cruise Ship

The former MOBY ZAZA returns to service as WORLD LEGACY, a ‘party ship’ offering short cruises and overnight stays from Singapore starting 18 December.

She was built in 1982 as OLAU BRITANNIA for Olau Line, who used her on Sheerness—Vlissingen service.

More information on her new career: https://worldcruises.com.sg/press-release/

Nov 06
3

DFDS Q3 of Transition Year 2025

By | 2025 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

Key figures

  • Revenue up 4% to DKK 8.3bn (organic growth -2%)
  • EBIT down 32% to DKK 536m
  • CO₂ ferry emission intensity lowered 2.7%

Outlook 2025

  • EBIT lowered to DKK 0.6–0.75bn (previously DKK 0.8–1.0bn, excl. one-off cost)
  • One-off cost of around DKK 100m in Q4 for Cost Reduction Programme
  • Adjusted free cash flow now expected around DKK 0.9bn (down from DKK 1.0bn)

CEO’s Comments
2025 is a transitional year for DFDS, setting the stage for stronger financial performance after a challenging 2024. A new Cost Reduction Programme targets DKK 300m savings in 2026.

Focus Areas

  • Logistics Boost: Progressed in line with expectations; further gains expected in Q4.
  • Mediterranean Network: New pricing model (launched Sept 2025) shows initial yield recovery.
  • Türkiye & Europe South: Improvement slower than expected amid tough markets.

Network Performance
Results outside the focus areas were solid and exceeded 2024 levels (adjusted for route changes).

  • North Sea: Stable freight operations.
  • Baltic Sea: Strong quarter; further improvement expected via new space charter.
  • Channel: Good performance despite extra costs for Jersey routes.
  • Strait of Gibraltar: On target; two additional ferries to join in 2026 (pending approval).
  • Logistics: Nordic and Continent units adapted to low growth; UK & Ireland remained stable.

Outlook Summary
EBIT outlook revised down due to uncertainty in Mediterranean ferry and logistics activities, plus one-off programme costs.

Read the DFDS Q3 2025 Interim Report here.

Nov 06
3

DFDS Launches Cost Reduction Programme To Strengthen Financial Performance

By | 2025 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

As outlined earlier this year, 2025 is a transitional year for DFDS, focused on laying the foundation for improved financial performance following the challenges of 2024.

To accelerate this transition, DFDS announced a Cost Reduction Programme targeting DKK 300m of savings in 2026.

The programme will deliver approximately DKK 300m in cost reductions in 2026, primarily through a reduction of around 400 office-based positions and additional efficiency measures across the organisation.

Implementation is expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2026, with a one-off cost of around DKK 100m — mainly related to redundancies — to be recognised in Q4 2025.

Nov 06
3

Stena Line to Acquire Wasaline and Strengthen Its Baltic Sea Presence

By | 2025 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

Stena Line will acquire NLC Ferry Ab Oy/Wasaline, taking over the operation of the ferry route between Umeå (Sweden) and Vaasa (Finland).

When will the transfer of ownership take place?

In the beginning of 2026, after city councils and authorities have approved the deal.

What happens to ferry AURORA BOTNIA?

Kvarken Link, a company owned by the cities of Vaasa and Umeå, continues to own the ship. NLC Ferry, under the new ownership, charters and mans the ship.

 

The Wasaline brand will remain.

What are the minimum requirements for traffic?

Agreement between Vaasa, Umeå and Stena Line states a minimum of 20 departures per week. At the moment, there are 20-26 departures (winter-high season).

For how long is the contract valid?

The charter agreement and the traffic requirements are agreed for 10 years, after which Stena Line has the possibility to either extend the agreement or to purchase the ship. Stena Line has expressed their long-term commitment to operate and develop the route.

Nov 06
3

Five RoPax Ships Put Up for Sale by Moby and CIN

By | 2025 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

Following the green light from the Italian Antitrust Authority for the agreement that separates Moby from MSC and its ferry company GNV, the Onorato-controlled group moved immediately to sell five of its current vessels and use the proceeds to repay loans provided by MSC in 2023 to keep the company solvent.

To repay the debt, Moby has scheduled an online auction for next week, 12 November. Five of the company’s vessels will be offered in a single lot with a starting price of EUR 229.9 million. The auction lists five RoPax units: MOBY AKI and MOBY WONDER (to be chartered back to Moby for 15 years at a daily rate of EUR 15,000), MOBY ALE DUE, ATHARA, and JANAS.

Nov 06
3

SEALANDIA SEAWAYS To Sail on Tunis–Marseille After Sale of CAPPADOCIA SEAWAYS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

DFDS has entered an agreement to sell the freight ferry CAPPADOCIA SEAWAYS after more than 23 years of service, as part of its ongoing fleet optimisation programme.

  • The vessel operated within DFDS’s Mediterranean network.
  • SELANDIA SEAWAYS (197m, 2,772 lane metres / 177 trailers) will take over operations on the Tunis–Marseille route.
  • GALLIPOLI SEAWAYS will replace CAPPADOCIA SEAWAYS on the Mersin–Trieste route.

The Tunis–Marseille service has seen steady volume growth, and DFDS expects SELANDIA SEAWAYS to further strengthen capacity and support continued expansion.

“We are optimising operations to ensure our fleet is aligned with current and future demands,” says Mathieu Girardin, EVP and Head of Ferry Division. “By deploying SELANDIA SEAWAYS and optimising across our Mediterranean network, we maintain frequency and service quality while supporting trade between Europe, Türkiye and North Africa.”

Nov 06
3

Ferry PANORAMA launched on the Saronic Gulf service

By | 2025 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

On November 6, 2025 Olympian Ferries Panorama introduced on the Piraeus-Aigina route. The ship will depart daily from the port of Piraeus at 08.00, 12.00 and 16.00, while the return trip from Aigina will be at 10.00, 14.00 and 18.00. Panorama was serving on the Agios Konstantinos-Sporades Islands (Skiathos-Skopelos-Alonissos) line the previous two summer periods. She will be the largest and fastest ferry of the line and is expected to upgrade the services on the Aigina line. She was built in Germany in 1987 for the state-owned company Trinidad and Tobago Inter-Island Ferry Service. Sold in Greece (Panorama Shipping) in 2010 and served on the Rafina-Marmari route until 2024. Her carrying capacity is for 800 passengers and 160 cars. Her service speed is 18 knots.

Photo: Olympian Ferries