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sandra

Nov 21
Love3

MacGregor to Supply Access Solutions for Grimaldi’s Nine New RoPax Vessels

By 2025 Newsletter week 47

MacGregor has been selected by the Grimaldi Group to supply cargo access solutions for nine new RoPax vessels to be built at China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyard. The order was booked in MacGregor’s third quarter 2025.

The contract covers cargo access equipment for:

  • Three vessels for Finnlines
  • Four for Grimaldi Euromed
  • Two for Minoan Lines

Two Vessel Designs

  • Finnlines (3 ships): 5,400 lane metres and capacity for 1,000 passengers. Designed for Baltic Sea operations.
  • Grimaldi Euromed / Minoan Lines (6 ships): 3,300 lane metres and 2,500 passengers. Intended for Mediterranean and Adriatic services.
Nov 21
Love3

Vessels In & Out for Corsica Ferries’ Fleet

By 2025 Newsletter week 47

Market rumours suggest changes in the Corsica Ferries fleet.

MEGA EXPRESS FIVE is reportedly sold to Dubai-based Tarco Marine, the buyer of CORSICA MARINA SECONDA and CORSICA VICTORIA.

  • Owner Pierre Mattei declined to comment on the transaction.
  • Built in 1993 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the ship offers 1,400 lane metres, 276 cabins, capacity for 1,800 passengers and a 26-knot service speed.

STENA VISION is expected to join the fleet.

  • The vessel, built in 1987 and refitted in 1999 and 2010, recently arrived in the Mediterranean and is now off Gibraltar.
  • It is 175 metres long, 30 metres wide, 38,700 GT, and carries 1,700 passengers and 570 cars at 20 knots.
  • The ship previously served the Rosslare–Cherbourg route.
Nov 21
Love3

Øresundslinjen Moves Toward Fully Green Corridor With HAMLET Conversion

By 2025 Newsletter week 47

Øresundslinjen has taken another major step towards a fully green maritime corridor between Denmark and Sweden. The ferry HAMLET has entered Oresund Drydocks in Landskrona for a full conversion from diesel engines to battery power.

When HAMLET returns to service in mid-December 2025, she will operate as a fully electric ferry powered by renewable energy. This marks the third vessel on the Helsingør–Helsingborg route to undergo electrification.

The ferries AURORA and TYCHO BRAHE have operated on battery power since 2018. TYCHO BRAHE also installed the world’s largest maritime battery pack in 2021, at 6,400 kWh. Øresundslinjen was the first operator globally to run electric RoPax ferries on a high-frequency service.

HAMLET’s conversion includes:

  • 2,800 kWh of batteries (Echandia) in four containers on Deck 6
  • ABB charging modules on both sides of the Øresund
  • Structural reinforcement completed during two earlier dockings

CO₂ Emissions Sharply Reduced

The route previously emitted 37,800 tonnes of CO₂ annually. After the first two conversions, emissions fell to 10,200 tonnes in 2024. With HAMLET electrified, emissions will drop to 2,500 tonnes after full implementation. The three conversions together will remove 35,300 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

HAMLET will return to service on 15 December 2025.

Nov 21
Love3

Vestlandske Converts Two Ferries to Zero-Emission Operation on the Geirangerfjord

By 2025 Newsletter week 47

Vestlandske is converting two ferries to zero-emission operation on the Geirangerfjord, one of Norway’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites. The project supports national goals for emission-free domestic shipping.

The electrification will cut emissions by around 2,600 tonnes of CO₂ annually. It will also allow further development of tourism services on the fjord without increasing pressure on the natural environment.

Large Battery Capacity for Demanding Operations

Both vessels will receive battery packs totalling 17 MWh, giving sufficient capacity for operations in an area with limited shore power. With support from Enova, the aim is for JOTUNHEIM and HJØRUNGAVÅG to begin zero-emission operations at the start of the 2026 season.

Tourism Partnership

Vestlandske has also entered a long-term collaboration with Norway’s Best, one of the country’s largest tourism operators, which will handle sales and marketing.

A Collaborative Project

CEO Øystein Meek said the initiative reflects extensive planning and cooperation across technology, maritime expertise and tourism.
“The goal is to deliver a tourism product that safeguards the environment, guests and the area’s long-term interests,” he said.
“Zero-emission operation and greater capacity provide more efficient operation and a better overall experience on board. This is important for tourism, but also for the area as a whole.”

Nov 21
Love3

Ferry Solution Saves New Zealand $2.3 Billion (≈ €1.12 billion)

By 2025 Newsletter week 47

The New Zealand Government says taxpayers will save billions under a revised plan for two new Interislander ferries and streamlined infrastructure in Picton and Wellington.

Rail Minister Winston Peters confirmed the deal on Monday.

  • Two new road-rail ferries will enter Cook Strait service in 2029.
  • A $596 million (≈ €290 million) fixed-price contract has been signed between Ferry Holdings and Guangzhou Shipyard International.
  • The total programme cost remains below $2 billion (≈ €974 million).
  • Taxpayer funding will stay under $1.7 billion (≈ €828 million) allocated earlier this year.
  • Peters says this represents a $2.3 billion (≈ €1.12 billion) saving, after removing costly consultancy-driven upgrades that pushed estimates towards $4 billion (≈ €1.95 billion).
  • Infrastructure spending will be recovered through port fees from Interislander revenue.
  • Interislander must build reserves to fund replacement vessels over the next 30 years.
  • Ferry Holdings will lead infrastructure delivery, supported by CentrePort, Port Marlborough, and KiwiRail.
  • Disruption to Interislander and Bluebridge operations will be minimised.

Peters will travel to Guangzhou next week with Ferry Holdings leadership to mark the agreement and strengthen economic ties with China.

Nov 21
Love3

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Unveils Three-Vessel Schedule With New Focus on Ireland

By 2025 Newsletter week 47

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company will launch its new three-vessel timetable for 2026/27. It goes on sale on 21 November 2025 and marks the first regular three-ship schedule outside TT for over 15 years. The plan strengthens all core routes and introduces a major expansion of services to Ireland.

Key points:

  • BEN-MY-CHREE becomes the dedicated Ireland vessel.
    Five sailings a week to Dublin and Larne in peak season.
    Three winter sailings a week to Larne.
    Supports both passenger travel and new freight opportunities.
  • MANANNAN expands on Liverpool.
    More daytime summer sailings.
    Maintains two daily services into early September.
    Potential September increases if demand remains strong.
  • MANXMAN focuses on Heysham.
    Exclusively on the route in peak season.
    Operates weekend Liverpool sailings from November to March.
    BEN-MY-CHREE supports Heysham freight when required.
  • Customer initiatives extended.
    10% off Flexi Fares and Kids Go Free continue after strong uptake in 2025.
  • Fleet investment.
    Major interior refit planned for BEN-MY-CHREE to upgrade public areas for the Ireland routes.

The schedule runs until late May 2027 and goes live on 21 November at 09:30.

Managing Director Brian Thomson says the Company is investing to support growth. He warns the new Irish links must be used to remain viable, adding that the two-year commitment aims to build sustainable demand.

Nov 21
Love3

Port of Antwerp-Bruges Hosts Ship Firefighting Seminar in Zeebruges

By 2025 Newsletter week 47

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
Love3

Ferryhopper Launches Real-Time Disruption Platform

By 2025 Newsletter week 47

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
Love1

IMAGE CARDS

By 2025 Newsletter week 47

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
Love3

DFDS Q3 of Transition Year 2025

By 2025 Newsletter week 45

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.