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sandra

Dec 13
2

Two Electric Catamarans for Baleària

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

Baleària has announced the construction of two electric catamarans, ESPAÑA 2030 and MAROC 2030, to operate on the Tarifa-Tanger Ville route, for which they have recently won the tender.

With an investment of €135 million, these vessels will be built at the Armón shipyards and are expected to become operational in two and a half years.

Each catamaran will feature an electric power capacity of 16 MW and batteries with 11,500 kWh, enabling full crossings without CO₂ emissions.

The semi-high-speed vessels will have a capacity for 804 passengers and 225 vehicles, with a maximum speed of 26 knots.

Dec 13
2

OSK Design selected for new RoPax and RoRo vessel designs for COTUNAV

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

OSK Design announced its selection by Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation (COTUNAV) to design its next-generation RoPax and RoRo vessels.

OSK Design has an extensive experience with leading ferry operators—including Algerie Ferries, Moby, TTLine, P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries and more.

The designs for COTUNAV’s new fleet will focus on:

  • Reliability: Advanced machinery and redundant systems ensure continuous operation in challenging maritime conditions.
  • Performance: Superior seakeeping and handling capabilities enable safe and efficient operations across varying environments.
  • Flexibility: Adaptable designs accommodate evolving market demands and regulatory requirements.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Energy-efficient technologies and eco-friendly solutions will reduce emissions and minimise the vessels’ environmental footprint, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Source: https://www.oskdesign.com/news/cotunav

Dec 13
2

Fast Ferries Acquire Zante Ferries’ Fleet

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

OSK Design announced its selection by Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation (COTUNAV) to design its next-generation RoPax and RoRo vessels.

OSK Design has an extensive experience with leading ferry operators—including Algerie Ferries, Moby, TTLine, P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries and more.

The designs for COTUNAV’s new fleet will focus on:

  • Reliability: Advanced machinery and redundant systems ensure continuous operation in challenging maritime conditions.
  • Performance: Superior seakeeping and handling capabilities enable safe and efficient operations across varying environments.
  • Flexibility: Adaptable designs accommodate evolving market demands and regulatory requirements.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Energy-efficient technologies and eco-friendly solutions will reduce emissions and minimise the vessels’ environmental footprint, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Source: https://www.oskdesign.com/news/cotunav

Dec 13
2

Fast Ferries Acquire Zante Ferries’ Fleet

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

On 6 December 2024, after extensive negotiations, Fast Ferries finalised the acquisition of Zante Ferries’ ships: DIONISSIOS SOLOMOS (built in 1990) and ADAMANDIOS KORAIS (built in 1987).

Both vessels will undergo refurbishment and adopt new livery while remaining on their current routes:

  • DIONISSIOS SOLOMOS: Piraeus–Western Cyclades route.
  • ADAMANDIOS KORAIS: Alexandroupolis–Samothrace barren line.

Zante Ferries’ History:

  • Established in 1991 in Zakynthos, operating initially in the Ionian Sea.
  • Transitioned to the Aegean Sea in 2008 with ADAMANDIOS KORAIS servicing Central Aegean routes, later focusing on Western Cyclades.
  • In 2017, DIONISSIOS SOLOMOS joined the Western Cyclades route, marking the company’s permanent shift from the Ionian Sea.
  • After 33 years of service, Zante Ferries has ceased operations in Hellenic Coastal Shipping.

Photo © Charalambos Symeonidis

Dec 13
2

“EU ports recorded 395.3 million passengers in 2023” says Eurostat

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

In 2023, the EU ports recorded 395.3 million passengers, marking a 5.8% increase compared with 2022 (374.0 million). However, the number of passengers was 5.5% lower than the pre-COVID levels of 2019.

In 2023, 11 EU countries, each with more than 10 million passengers, accounted for 97% of all seaborne passenger transport in the EU.

Italian ports recorded the highest number of passengers: 85.4 million, or 22% of the EU total.

Greek ports followed with 75.0 million passengers (19% of the EU total) and Denmark with 41.2 million passengers (10%).

Source: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/en/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20241209-2

Photo: Messina, Mike Louagie

Dec 13
2

WALLENIUS SOL Expands LoLo Service with Tornio, Piteå and Rotterdam

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

From January 2025, WALLENIUS SOL is expanding its LoLo service to include Port of Tornio, Port of Piteå and Port of Rotterdam. This enhanced network improves connectivity in the Bay of Bothnia and strengthens access to deep-sea routes via Rotterdam alongside Antwerp.

The container vessel, PEYTON LYNN C., with a capacity of 860 TEU, has been chartered to operate the service between Kokkola, Oulu, Tornio, Piteå, Rotterdam and Antwerp with a fixed bi-weekly rotation.

WALLENIUS SOL mainly operates RoRo / ConRo vessels.

Source: WALLENIUS SOL on LinkedIn

Dec 13
2

New Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridge in Plymouth

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

Associated British Ports (ABP) has taken another significant step in its £23m Millbay Docks transformation, within the Port of Plymouth.

The first section of a new Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridge (SPBB) on the West Wharf has been installed, with the remaining sections due to be installed in early 2025.

The SPBB has been supplied by ADELTE.

When operational, this new state-of-the-art bridge will help to streamline the embarkation and disembarkation process for foot passengers of Brittany Ferries and cruise vessels.

Source: ABP

Dec 13
2

CalMac Publishes Summer Timetables

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

The first phase of timetables for the summer 2025 season are available for CalMac customers to view online since Friday 6 December.

Transport Scotland have confirmed that from summer 2025, a two-vessel service will operate on the main Arran route for 10 months of the year, except during scheduled overhauls where CalMac will temporarily operate a single-vessel service.

CALEDONIAN ISLES will operate to and from Ardrossan, and newbuilding GLEN SANNOX will operate to and from Troon, significantly increasing the capacity to Arran.

Bookings for phase one of the summer 2025 timetable will be available on the CalMac website on 19 December.

Source: Corporate CalMac

Dec 13
2

Launch of the DECOMPRES Project: A Green Future for Greek Ports

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments
  • Purpose: To promote sustainable growth and reduce carbon emissions in Greek port zones through the DECOMPRES project, “Decarbonising the Greek Comprehensive Ports.”
  • Funding:
    • Approved for a total of €9,670,000 under the European Commission’s “Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)” programme.
    • 85% of funding comes from the Cohesion Fund.
  • Scope:
    • The first collaborative effort involving multiple Greek ports within the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network’s supplementary network.
    • Aims to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration.
  • Focus Areas:
    • Aligns with European directives for green port transformations.
    • Involves the installation of ship electrification infrastructure to reduce reliance on traditional fuels.
    • Construction of ship electrification facilities includes:
      • 4 positions in Rafina Port.
      • Technical studies for:
        • 9 positions in Lavrio Port.
        • 11 positions in Corfu Port.
        • 9 positions in Kavala Port.
  • Consortium Members:
    • Coordinated by Lavrio Port Authority SA, partnered with Rafina, Corfu, and Kavala Port Authorities, along with Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund, HEDNO (electricity distribution), PROTASIS, HYDRUS, GATES, and NTUA’s Laboratory of Maritime Transport.

This initiative sets a benchmark for sustainable maritime practices, reflecting the commitment of Greek ports to green growth and innovation.

Photo: A kickoff meeting was held on Thursday, 5 December 2024, at Lavrio Port Authority’s offices.

Dec 13
2

DFDS November: Continued Growth

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

Ferry – freight

  • Total volumes in November 2024 were 4% above 2023 and up 4.7% adjusted for the addition of Strait of Gibraltar routes in 2024, closure of Calais-Tilbury in 2023, and the sale of Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen in 2024.
  • North Sea, Channel, and Baltic Sea volumes were all, also in November, above 2023 following growth on most routes.
  • Mediterranean volumes were in November below 2023 following increased competition in one corridor.
  • For the last twelve months 2024-23, the total transported freight lane metres increased 7.7% to 41.4m from 38.4m in 2023-22. The increase was 3.9% adjusted for the above route changes.

Ferry – passenger

  • The number of passengers in November 2024 was 6% above 2023 and up 22.4% adjusted for the above route changes. The adjusted increase was due to mainly higher Channel volumes supported by a timing difference of the fall half-term break in the UK.
  • The number of cars was 40.4% above 2023 and up 8.4% adjusted for route changes.
  • For the last twelve months 2024-23, the total number of passengers increased 47.2% to 6.6m compared to 4.5m for 2023-22. The increase was 8.0% adjusted for route changes.