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sandra

Jun 06
3

GNV Officially Launches France–Algeria RoPax Line

By | 2025 Newsletter week 23 | No Comments

GNV, part of the MSC Group, has officially launched new routes connecting Sète with Algiers and Bejaia.

The company will operate two weekly sailings: Algiers–Sète and Bejaia–Sète.

The RoPax EXCELLENT, recently refurbished, offers halal cuisine, a prayer room, and family-friendly spaces tailored to the Algerian market.

With these additions, GNV strengthens its presence in the Mediterranean and expands its services to the Maghreb, reinforcing its strategic role in international maritime transport.

Jun 06
3

Strategic Review of Öresund Transport Could Impact Future Ferry Links

By | 2025 Newsletter week 23 | No Comments
  • Swedish and Danish transport organisations welcome a new Swedish government initiative to review future transport needs across the Öresund.
  • Aimed at 2050 planning, the study will evaluate capacity and resilience, with a focus on freight flows and security.
  • The HH fixed link (Helsingborg–Helsingør) will also be assessed as a possible way to ease pressure on existing corridors, including ferry routes.
  • Sweden’s Åkeriföretag and Denmark’s DTL support the inclusion of long vehicle combinations and special transports in the review.
  • Final report due by 28 November 2025.
Jun 06
3

Corsican Passenger and Freight Traffic – 2024 Key Figures

By | 2025 Newsletter week 23 | No Comments

Passenger Traffic

  • Total maritime passengers (excl. cruise): 4 million (+3.4%)
  • Peak day: 13 August – +370,900 people on the island
  • Seasonality: Maritime travel dominates in July and August

Top Ports by Passenger Traffic

  • BASTIA: 2.13 million (+4.0%) – Corsica’s main ferry port
  • AJACCIO: 910,000 (+6.8%)
  • L’ÎLE-ROUSSE: Stable at 406,000
  • BONIFACIO: Stable at 249,000 (mainly Sardinia)
  • PORTO-VECCHIO: Down 3.7%
  • PROPRIANO: Down 3.9%

Traffic by Operator

  • Corsica Ferries: 2.48 million (+0.8%) – 62.2% market share
  • Corsica Linea: 587,000 (+3.2%)
  • Moby Lines: 528,000 (+8.7%)
  • La Méridionale: 258,000 (+14.1%)
  • Ichnusa Lines: 132,000 (+18.5%)

International Traffic

  • Italy accounts for all maritime international traffic – 1.53 million (+7.3%)
  • Mainland France traffic stable at 2.45 million (+1.3%)

Vehicle Traffic

  • Total by ferry: 1.46 million vehicles (+2.4%)
    • From Italy: 526,000 (+7.6%)
    • From France: 933,000 (−0.4%)
  • Tourist vehicles peak in August: 132,000 (for comparison, 260,800 vehicles registered in Corsica)

Freight Traffic

  • Total inbound freight: 1.83 million tonnes (−0.1%)
    • BASTIA: Leading port with 1.2 million tonnes
      • 836,000 tonnes of RoRo cargo
      • 343,000 tonnes of oil products
    • AJACCIO: 575,000 tonnes (including 360,200 tonnes RoRo)
  • RoRo Freight: 1.18 million tonnes (+0.7%)
Jun 06
3

GulenSkyss Orders New Electric Ferry from Fjellstrand for Breistein–Valestrand Route

By | 2025 Newsletter week 23 | No Comments

GulenSkyss has signed a contract with local shipyard Fjellstrand AS for the construction of a new electric ferry.

The vessel is designed for low energy consumption and environmentally friendly operation, tailored for the Breistein–Valestrand route.

Scheduled to enter service on 29 November 2027, the ferry will have a capacity of 50 cars.

The contract spans 15 years, with GulenSkyss aiming to provide a stable and high-quality transport service throughout the period.

Jun 06
3

Norway’s Coastal Route: Havila Voyages and HAV Group Aim for Growth and Greener Operations

By | 2025 Newsletter week 23 | No Comments

HAVILA VOYAGES and HAV GROUP have formalised their collaboration to grow operations on the Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen Coastal Route in the next contract period.

Focus: Lower emissions, higher energy efficiency, and development of next-generation ships.

Key Points:

  • Current fleet can reach carbon neutrality using biogas.
  • Future potential: green hydrogen, carbon capture, and 30% more energy efficiency.
  • New ships will build on the existing design with enhanced technology.
  • Call for stricter environmental requirements from authorities – including minimum year-round carbon neutrality.

Statements:

  • Bent Martini (Havila Voyages): “We’re ready to deliver carbon neutrality from day one with our current fleet.”
  • Gunnar Larsen (HAV Group): “We fully embrace the challenge and look forward to delivering innovative maritime solutions.”

Industry Call:

  • Both CEOs invited Norway’s maritime cluster to collaborate and make the Coastal Route a model for climate-responsible passenger shipping.
May 30
3

TALLINK Charters ROMANTIKA to Algeria’s Madar Maritime

By | 2025 Newsletter week 22 | No Comments
  • AS Tallink Grupp confirms last week’s news
  • It has signed a nine-month charter agreement with Algeria’s state-owned Madar Maritime Company for the cruise ship ROMANTIKA.
  • The charter, starting Saturday 31 May, includes the vessel and technical crew.
  • The deal includes two optional six-month extensions.
  • CEO Paavo Nõgene highlighted the positive financial impact and the company’s adaptability: “Finding charter opportunities for ships not in use shows our flexibility in a changing economic environment.”
May 30
3

Damen Launches Fully Electric-Ready Ferry for BC Ferries

By | 2025 Newsletter week 22 | No Comments

Damen Shipyards Galati has launched a new Island Class ferry for BC Ferries. The vessel, a Damen RoRo 8117 E3, is the first of four new battery-equipped diesel-hybrid ferries. All are designed for full electric operation once terminal charging infrastructure is in place.

This latest ferry—the seventh Damen-built ship for BC Ferries—will serve routes between Nanaimo and Gabriola Island, and Campbell River and Quadra Island. Each vessel can carry up to 47 vehicles and 390 passengers, with recharging during embarkation using renewable energy.

The launch was part of a week of major milestones at Damen. The yard also laid the keel for the ninth vessel and cut steel for the tenth. BC Ferries’ Executive Director of Shipbuilding Ed Hooper attended the events, alongside Canada’s Ambassador to Romania, Gavin Buchan.

In addition to the ships, Damen is supplying the onshore charging systems. Deliveries are scheduled for 2027, with continued support from Damen’s Canadian Service Hub in Victoria.

May 30
3

Anek Lines’ EL VENIZELOS Chartered to Algérie Ferries

By | 2025 Newsletter week 22 | No Comments

On 24 May 2025, Anek Lines’ EL VENIZELOS made her final sailing on the Chania (Crete)–Piraeus route before heading to the Elefsis shipyard for preparations ahead of a long-term charter to Algérie Ferries.

She will be replaced on the route by her fleet mate KISSAMOS.

Previously, EL VENIZELOS was chartered to Tunisia Ferries from 2005 to 2011. She was the largest ferry flying the Greek flag and has served as the Anek Lines flagship for 33 years.

Photo: Dimitris Mendakis

May 30
3

Seatrials for SUPERFAST IV

By | 2025 Newsletter week 22 | No Comments

On 23 May 2025, and after a long refit at Elefsis Yards (ONEX), RoPax SUPERFAST IV (ex-Hellenic Spirit) successfully completed her sea trials in the Saronic Gulf.

The vessel is expected to re-enter service in June on the Patras–Igoumenitsa–Ancona route, operating alongside her sister ship SUPERFAST III (ex-Olympic Champion).

During the refit, she underwent a full engine overhaul, interior upgrades, application of the new Superfast livery, dry docking, and installation of a scrubber unit.

Built in Norway in 2001, SUPERFAST IV has a capacity of 1,370 passengers and 2,045 lane metres, with a top speed of 30 knots.

Photo: Anastasios Anastasiou

May 30
3

SeaJets’ CHAMPION LEAGUE JET 1 Enters Service on Piraeus–Cyclades–Heraklion Route

By | 2025 Newsletter week 22 | No Comments

On 23 May 2025, CHAMPION LEAGUE JET 1 (ex-JUMBO JET) entered service for SeaJets on the Piraeus–Syros–Tinos–Mykonos–Paros–Naxos–Santorini–Heraklion route.

Acquired from Turkish operator IDO in May 2024, she will operate alongside WORLD CHAMPION JET on the same line until October 2025.

Daily departures are scheduled from Heraklion at 08:00 and from Piraeus at 09:15.

Built in Australia in 2007, the vessel can carry 1,172 passengers and 140 cars, with a top speed of 43 knots.

Photo: Seajets